Betty Dorean Winters was born November 24, 1959 to Ed and Orpha Winters of Woodward, OK. Betty followed her mamma’s footsteps through the doors of the Methodist Church where she found her love for Jesus. She followed her daddy’s footsteps through the barn doors where she found her love for horses, especially Yeller. 

Betty graduated from Woodward High School in 1978, after which she attended South Western Oklahoma State University. While attending college she started to date and soon after marry the love of her life Monty Cates. Wedding bells rang Sept. 11, 1982. The two began their love story outside of Beaver, Ok for a short while then moved to Booker, TX where they welcomed their first born Ty Lynn Cates on June 19, 1983.(Best baby according to Ty, biggest baby according to the other three.) Shortly after they welcomed their 2nd baby Cassidy Dawn Cates on Oct. 16, 1984. And even shorter after that, they welcomed their third baby Steven Trew Cates on Feb. 11, 1986. (Even though Cassidy advised them to send him back, they decided to keep him anyways.) Just when they thought life couldn’t get any sweeter they were surprised with their final baby, Maddie Kalene Cates on Sept. 26, 1997.

In the 43 years of marriage Monty and Betty built a beautiful life together. Countless memories in the arena, on the creek, traveling to rodeos and ropings, and basketball games always with a camera in her hand. They were the perfect balance for each other. “Daddy was never one with many words, and you never had to wonder what mom was thinking.” They both loved each other and their family unconditionally. They instilled a foundation of love for the Lord into the lives of their children.

Betty was a devoted wife, mother, and G-Ma. She will be remembered for many things. A warm cup of coffee, a daily Bible verse, turquoise, leopard print, always fashionable and fashionably late rang true with Betty. One thing Monty and her kids will remember is how she was all about the fine details in life. From planning birthday parties, perfection when packing, to ironing everything, she just had a way of making things special. She had a laugh that lit up the room. Her children never had the trauma of being lost in a store, they just had to stop and listen. Betty loved as big as her laugh. She loved “Bigger than the Texas sky.”

Betty Dorean passed from this life and into the arms of Jesus on October 16, 2025. Though our hearts are breaking and we will always feel her absence, we know the Daddy’s girl is dancing with her dad, and she will continue to watch over her family just as she always has. 

Betty is preceded in death by her father Ed Winters, mother Orpha Winters, sister Becky Shelbourne, father-inlaw Gerald Cates, mother-inlaw Sharon Cates, and daughter in-laws Mary and Hillary Cates.

Betty’s love and memory will be carried on through her husband Monty Cates, her oldest child Ty Cates, his wife Gloria and their children Kayhill, Landry, Jaqueline, Natialie, and Jacob, the second oldest Cassidy Ricke, her husband Tyler and their children Taisen, Tacksen, and Tavlee, third child Trew Cates, his wife Drew and their children Hewey and Haddie,   her “late in life blessing”  Maddie Thompson and her husband Hadley and soon to be grandaughter Reignee Kalene, brother Steve Winters and his wife Michelle, brother in-law Mark Cates and his wife Kim, sister in-law Robin Friskup and her husband Steve, a whole host of nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends.