Betty Brinson

Betty Jane Brinson of Ringwood, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at her home on September 7, 2026. She was born on June 15, 1953, in California to Dave and Vivian (Nightengale) Schmidt.

Betty’s family later moved to Oklahoma, where she attended Fairview High School. While in high school, Betty was a talented basketball player and was part of the team that won the state championship.

On June 11, 1972, Betty married the love of her life, Steve Brinson. To this union, three children were born, Lesa, Matthew, and Mendy. Betty’s greatest joy was raising her children and being involved in their lives. She could often be found traveling to their many sporting events and stock shows, cheering them on and supporting them every step of the way.

Betty worked as a cook at Ringwood School for many years. She loved the children and considered herself to be a parent to every child. Betty never met a stranger and was known for her warm smile, kind heart, and willingness to make everyone feel welcome.

Betty and Steve were also longtime supporters of the Ringwood community and served on the Watermelon Festival Board for many years.

Betty was a member of the Ringwood United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, where she took great pride in preparing and caring for the meals at the church. Later in life, she became a member of Crossroads Community Church in Ringwood.

As the years went by, Betty’s grandchildren became the center of her world. Gracie, Logan, and Trenton brought her tremendous joy, and she treasured every moment she was able to spend with them. Once the grandchildren came along, everything else seemed to take a back seat to them.

Betty will be remembered for her love of family, her generous heart, her beautiful smile, and the way she made everyone around her feel like family. She touched countless lives through her years of caring for children, serving her church, supporting her community, and loving her family.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Vivian Schmidt; her husband, Steve Brinson; her brother, Jim Schmidt; her mother and father-in-law, Charlie and Nora Brinson; brothers-in-law, Jerry, Junior, and Clyde Brinson; niece, Misty Brinson; and nephew, Isaac Schmidt.

She is survived by her children, Lesa Brinson, Matthew Brinson and wife, Carrie, and Mendy Brinson; grandchildren, Gracie, Logan, and Trenton Brinson; sister, Bonnie George and husband, Roger; brothers, Bill Schmidt and wife, Carla, David Schmidt and wife, Felicia, and Richard Schmidt and wife, Cynthia; sister-in-law Betty Schmidt brother-in-law, Gary Brinson and wife, Glenda; sister-in-law, Billie Koehn and husband Dwight; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who loved her dearly.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday September 12 at the Faith Center in Meno, burial will follow at Cedar Cemetery near Fairview. There will be a time of memories and fellowship with the family on Friday September 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fairview Church of God in Christ Mennonite church. Viewing will be Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. in Helena.