Michelle Green
Michelle Green of Wister, Oklahoma, passed away March 22 in an automobile accident near her home. She was born May 30, 1959, in Walnut Creek, Calif.
Michelle is survived by her husband Virgil Green, father Bruce and Iris Bettis, and her mother Joanne and Chuck Brantley. She is also survived by five stepchildren: Rickey and Kelly Green, Rochelle and Bill Stewart, Renette and Rick Lewis, Rynea and Dan Vandeburgh, and Rhonda and Rudy Mercado; her brothers Greg (Janelle) Bettis and Kevin Bettis and stepsister Lynn Cody; in-laws Everett and Pat Green, Vernon and Norma Green, Darlene and Walter Woodard, and Melvin and Marie Green. She had 15 step-grandchildren, 25 step-great-grandchildren, 13 nieces and nephews and five great nieces and nephews.
Michelle grew up and became an avid horseman. She participated in English riding and showed in halter and pleasure horse. She met Virgil Green and got involved in both barrel racing and team roping. Michelle and Virgil married and she continued team roping and became a horse appraiser. She was recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association as a breeder for 10 plus years, 1987-2002. Over the years, she was a member in USTRC, ACTRA, WTRA, WPRA, WPCRA and many more. She had her own house cleaning business and then worked as a heavy equipment flagger in California.
Once moving to Oklahoma, Michelle went to Oklahoma State University completing the Master Cattleman’s program about raising and breeding cattle. At completion, she received the OSU sign with Virgil and Michelle’s brand on it. Michelle had received certification in self-defense and firearm safety along with a concealed weapon permit. She had taken the RLI Land University course for practical navigation and had a hunting and fishing license. Michelle was an election official appointed to the Leflore County Precinct. In Oklahoma she completed a medical terminology course and worked at the area hospital for awhile and later became a notary associate. Michelle took on the task of becoming a Realtor, and did sales for Remax and Red River. She passed courses and was on both the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission and Arkansas Real Estate Commission. She was a sales associate for Chuck Fawcett Realty in Fort Smith. She was on the Fort Smith, Arkansas Board of Realtors, serving first as secretary and treasurer, then later as vice president. With hard work, Michelle continued on and got her own license and became an associate broker with Just For You Properties in Poteau with Greg Accord.
As a show of love, Michelle’s many roping friends and WPRA members had her name inscribed on the ProRodeo Hall Of Fame Wall of Honor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Michelle had many accomplishments, but she was proudest of the fact she had found a place that felt like home in her Christian spirit education serving God, and that place was there in Oklahoma at the Green Country Cowboy Church.
Michelle was known for her smile and energy and always being helpful to others.