Betty Tom Riddle Graham

SERVICES: 10:00 AM Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeff Taylor, pastor, officiating.BURIAL: Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mrs. Graham was born on Sept. 2, 1926 in Altus, Oklahoma, the daughter of Allan and Vera Nipp Riddle, a pioneer family in Jackson County, Oklahoma. She received a B. S. degree from Oklahoma College for Women and a master's degree from West Texas State University. In 1948, she came to Pampa to begin a teaching career which spanned 38 years. She taught girls' physical education, coached girls' volleyball at Pampa High School, and was registrar at the "old" Pampa Junior High School. Later, she taught mathematics in each middle school and concluded her teaching career as the coordinator of mathematics for the elementary schools. She served on the first state board which designed the proficiency test in mathematics for all elementary students in Texas. Betty Tom married Howard Graham on Aug. 6, 1960 in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church in Pampa, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. W. W. Adcock. She was active in the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and served as the church membership chairman. She took an active role in the American Cancer Society, especially its Relay for Life.SURVIVORS: Husband: Howard Graham of the home; a sister: Margaret Riddle Whisenant of San Diego, CA; a sister-in-law: Darlene Riddle Wallace of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; 2 nieces: Darla Perry of St. Simon Island, Georgia and Sherry Evans of San Diego; a nephew: James Riddle of Bakersfield, CA; and 3 great nieces and four great great nieces and nephews.MEMORIALS: First United Methodist Church Missions Fund, P.O. Box 1981, Pampa, Texas 79066-1981 or the American Cancer Society, c/o Gerry Caylor, 2130 Charles, Pampa, Texas 79065.