Lela Badgett

Badgett Lela, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Arbor House in Midwest City, OK on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Lela was born July 26, 1931, Cromwell, OK. Her parents were the late Jess and Ruth Sanders. She grew up in the Cromwell area and attended Excelsior Schools until 1949. Lela married R.B. Badgett in June 1949. They lived in Del City and Seminole before moving to OKC in 2013.

After several years of being a homemaker, she started working at the OKC Downtown YMCA, then Aeronautical Center at Tinker AFB Base and FAA Center where she retired. After retirement, Lela and R.B. opened Badgett’s Cakes and Flowers.

Lela loved life and family. Her determination and drive for life remained throughout her courageous battle of cancer, lymphoma, and heart problems. She loved to read her bible, praying for and with others, spending time with family, laughing and always wearing a smile on her face. She was a loving and caring person, devoted wife, mother, and friend, always thinking of others first. “To know her was to love her.”

Lela was preceded in death by her late husband R.B. Badgett, her parents, sister Lillian Sanders, two brothers Floyd Sanders and Olen Sanders, and son Randal (Randy) Badgett. She is survived by daughter Vicki Jackson and husband Curtis, Newcastle; two granddaughters Stephanie Grantham and husband Chris and Kimberly Yancey and husband Thom; one grandson Chris Jackson and wife Tracy; three great grandsons; Austin Grantham and wife Valerie; Levi Yancey and Ethan Jackson; two great granddaughters; Ashley Thompson and husband Matt; Ava Jackson; one great-great grandson Preston Thompson and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Viewing will be held at John M. Ireland and Son Funeral Home and Chapel, Moore, OK, Friday, April 5, 2-7 p.m. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday April 6 at Little Cemetery north of Seminole, OK. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Baptist Children’s Home.