It has been said, “Behind every successful man stands a woman, his
wife and a surprised mother-in-law.”
It has also been said, “Show me a very successful man, and I will
easily point out the woman responsible for his Success.”
Betty Sorrells Rex is not just any woman. She was special delivery
gift from heaven for Lonnie Royce Rex. Her love, dedication, support and words of encouragement have been a tower of strength that Lonnie has needed to pursue what God called him to do. She has been a spiritual influence as they both have endeavored to serve God, and to raise their family to love, worship, glorify, and serve Him.
Lonnie and Betty fell in love and were married April 8, 1949. They chose New Orleans as their honeymoon site.
Lonnie stated one day in a conversation I had with him that "Betty brought joy and laughter and tradition to our home."
Betty is unassuming, graceful, and genuine. She is delightful to be with on any occasion. Several years ago, a number of us went to the new Houston Astros baseball stadium following a training conference Evangelism USA conducted in Houston. Lonnie and Betty joined us. I must tell you the weather that night we saw the Astors beat the Chicago Cubs in the new Minute Maid Park was rather chilly—uncomfortable to say the least. She showed her courage and stamina by fighting off the feelings of physical discomfort and enjoyed the game with all of us.
Betty is more than a match for Lonnie. God endowed her with a spiritual sensitivity to the Spirit of God, a brilliant mind, a heart of love and compassion for others, and a rare talent for playing the piano. Betty told me, “I know that God gave me the gift to play the piano.” And all who know or ever heard her play the piano would agree. She began taking piano lessons when she was eight years old. The lady who taught her was employed by Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City.
Every year for four years Betty took piano lessons at the Stamps School of Music that was in Dallas, Texas, when she grew older. She took every opportunity to improve her skills and techniques in playing the piano.
Betty was always at the piano for the 200 voice choirs Lonnie directed for General Conference and the Sunday School Conventions of the IPHC. Her Pentecostal style of playing the piano is uniquely Betty's own. It captures the attention of congregations and they love it. Her hands are strong, and her nimble fingers know how to tickle the ivory keys of the piano. And oh, what a melodious sound it is!
Betty was born on May 25, 1930 in a hospital in Oklahoma City. Her father was Guy Henry Sorrells and her mother was Iva Belle Sparks Sorrells. She was an only child but was not spoiled rotten as we often hear some people said.
Her father was a sales representative for a large supply company that specialized in paper products. He was an excellent provider for their family and knew that God had given him his job. He never took that fact for granted. He gave God all the glory, and he enjoyed telling others where his blessings came from, and Who gave them to him and his family.
Her parents were active members of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Oklahoma City. It was there Betty came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord of her life. She has continued to love and serve Him all the days of her life and to use her gifts and talents for the glory of God.
Betty attended grammar school and high school in Oklahoma City. She graduated from Classen High school.
Betty met Lonnie Rex at the Oklahoma Conference annual camp meeting. That was a good place for young people to meet. They fell in love and were married April 8,1949. They chose New Orleans as their honeymoon site.
God has blessed Betty and Lonnie with three wonderful children:
Royce, October 21, 1950
Patricia, July 9, 1954
Debbie, February 17, 1961
Lonnie taught music in the second year of Southwestern College existence. He directed the choir. Lonnie and Betty traveled with the choir back east at the close of that school year. Their first concert was east of the Mississippi River in Memphis, TN. All they asked from the churches was to prepare a meal at the church when they got to the church, provide homes to stay in for the night, a breakfast the next morning, and a care package--a light lunch for the road. In addition, they asked the pastor of each church to receive a love offering to help them with their gasoline expenses.
Their Southwestern College Choir traveled in five cars on this tour to present Southwestern College to the people back east in our church. They could not afford to lease a bus with a driver. So, they bravely traveled up the east coast to Toronto, Canada, and back down through the states to sing and minister in Pentecostal Holiness Churches, all the way to the General Conference that was held in Jacksonville, Florida.
Lonnie got permission from Dr. R. O. Corvin, the founder and first president of Southwestern College which today is Southwestern Christian University, to purchase a choir robe for each singer. That was a tough order because they had no funds to do that and Dr. Corvin thought the people back east would think that Southwestern College was too liturgical and stiff for their taste. Lonnie convinced Dr. Corvin that was not true, and he gave Lonnie permission to buy the robes. The people back east loved the choir robes. The special offerings that were received provided for the costs of gas and oil for the cars and the money for Lonnie to pay back his personal loan at his bank for the choir robes.
Later Lonnie and Betty moved to Washington, DC, where Lonnie wanted to get a master's degree. However, he made so much money as a salesman he never stepped inside the door of the university. Betty stood by Lonnie and supported him in what he wanted to do to provide for their family.
They attended the National Pentecostal Holiness Church in DC. Ray Stewart was the pastor. The church had a terrific pianist, Betty related, when they started attending our church. Meanwhile, in the passing of time this pianist and her family moved away, and Betty was asked to play the piano for the worship services. Ellen Robinson played the organ, and what a gifted musician she was.
Meanwhile, Oral Roberts, whom they had known all their lives called and wanted Lonnie to work for him to get his television program on television stations all across the country, especially a television station on Tulsa. Oral was embarrassed that he was not on a single TV station in his home town. So, it wasn't long that they moved to Tulsa to be associated with the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association where Lonnie worked directly with Oral Roberts.
Later, Lonnie was asked by T. L. Osborne to work for him helping him with his overseas crusades. Then, God opened a door for Lonnie to work with Billy James Hargis. It was with Lonnie's work with Hargis that Lonnie founded the David Livingstone Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian Christian organization. It was while Lonnie worked with Hargis that he wanted Betty to start a book store and she did. Betty was always creative and would do far more than was expected. So, Betty added items that women would love. In addition to the books, Betty provided in her book store items that women would like to purchase as gifts for friends and family, or for personal use.
During all the years Lonnie worked with the David Livingtone Foundation as the founder, CEO of this humanitarian enterprise and traveled extensively all over the world, Betty kept the home fires burning. She was a good mother to her three children and gave them the love and attention they needed. She meticulously took care of their financial obligations, wrote all the checks, balanced the checking account. Lonnie never had to worry and that took a load off his shoulders and freed him to concentrate on other things to help people in great need around the world.
In the process of time Betty was able to join Lonnie on some of his trips. She was with him when he met Pope John Paul. The relationship with the Pontiff was so good that the Pope invited them to travel to his summer home and enjoy the beauty of it and the countryside.
One of the innovative things that Betty and Lonnie did musically was to start playing twin concert grand piano concerts. They got the idea after seeing Frank Stamps and Harry Shelton do that. Betty concentrated on the lower keys and let Lonnie do his specialty with the upper keys where he excels. Lonnie loves to be a showman at the piano where he shines as a true professional pianist. You can watch and hear Lonnie as they play on twin concert pianos the great hymns of the church by Clicking Here.
I asked Betty what her hobbies were. She said that her hobby was music and that means playing their 9 foot Baldwin concert grand piano in their home. In addition, Lonnie related that Betty is the original Card Lady. She writes a lot of cards for her children and their spouses, 14 great grand children, and 9 grand children, as well as others.
Lonnie and Betty moved a number of years ago to Spring, TX, near Houston. They wanted to leave the snow and ice of Oklahoma and be in a warmer climate near the gulf coast, and medical doctors and facilities near by. They have a lovely home that is simply beautiful. Betty is a marvelous decorator. They have their yard and flowers taken care by professional lawn care people, as well as their outdoor, sunken swimming pool, that Lonnie needs for his exercise. Betty does not swim but enjoys seeing others find pleasure in their pool.
For these and more reasons I am naming Betty Sorrells Rex the 2017 and 2018 Hugh's News Woman of the Year.
You may wish to write Betty and congratulate her, as well as wish her a happy birthday which is May 25. She will be 88 years old, just two years younger than Lonnie.
Betty Rex
7914 Oxfordshire Drive
Spring, TX 77379
[Editor's Special Request: May I suggest that you forward today's Hugh's News with the story of Lonnie and Betty Rex to at least one person or more. I know you have a friend or a relative who would like to read about Lonnie and Betty Rex. They are a treasure to our church and the body of Christ worldwide. Please use the forward at the front of this newsletter. ]
wife and a surprised mother-in-law.”
It has also been said, “Show me a very successful man, and I will
easily point out the woman responsible for his Success.”
Betty Sorrells Rex is not just any woman. She was special delivery
gift from heaven for Lonnie Royce Rex. Her love, dedication, support and words of encouragement have been a tower of strength that Lonnie has needed to pursue what God called him to do. She has been a spiritual influence as they both have endeavored to serve God, and to raise their family to love, worship, glorify, and serve Him.
Lonnie and Betty fell in love and were married April 8, 1949. They chose New Orleans as their honeymoon site.
Lonnie stated one day in a conversation I had with him that "Betty brought joy and laughter and tradition to our home."
Betty is unassuming, graceful, and genuine. She is delightful to be with on any occasion. Several years ago, a number of us went to the new Houston Astros baseball stadium following a training conference Evangelism USA conducted in Houston. Lonnie and Betty joined us. I must tell you the weather that night we saw the Astors beat the Chicago Cubs in the new Minute Maid Park was rather chilly—uncomfortable to say the least. She showed her courage and stamina by fighting off the feelings of physical discomfort and enjoyed the game with all of us.
Betty is more than a match for Lonnie. God endowed her with a spiritual sensitivity to the Spirit of God, a brilliant mind, a heart of love and compassion for others, and a rare talent for playing the piano. Betty told me, “I know that God gave me the gift to play the piano.” And all who know or ever heard her play the piano would agree. She began taking piano lessons when she was eight years old. The lady who taught her was employed by Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City.
Every year for four years Betty took piano lessons at the Stamps School of Music that was in Dallas, Texas, when she grew older. She took every opportunity to improve her skills and techniques in playing the piano.
Betty was always at the piano for the 200 voice choirs Lonnie directed for General Conference and the Sunday School Conventions of the IPHC. Her Pentecostal style of playing the piano is uniquely Betty's own. It captures the attention of congregations and they love it. Her hands are strong, and her nimble fingers know how to tickle the ivory keys of the piano. And oh, what a melodious sound it is!
Betty was born on May 25, 1930 in a hospital in Oklahoma City. Her father was Guy Henry Sorrells and her mother was Iva Belle Sparks Sorrells. She was an only child but was not spoiled rotten as we often hear some people said.
Her father was a sales representative for a large supply company that specialized in paper products. He was an excellent provider for their family and knew that God had given him his job. He never took that fact for granted. He gave God all the glory, and he enjoyed telling others where his blessings came from, and Who gave them to him and his family.
Her parents were active members of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Oklahoma City. It was there Betty came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord of her life. She has continued to love and serve Him all the days of her life and to use her gifts and talents for the glory of God.
Betty attended grammar school and high school in Oklahoma City. She graduated from Classen High school.
Betty met Lonnie Rex at the Oklahoma Conference annual camp meeting. That was a good place for young people to meet. They fell in love and were married April 8,1949. They chose New Orleans as their honeymoon site.
God has blessed Betty and Lonnie with three wonderful children:
Royce, October 21, 1950
Patricia, July 9, 1954
Debbie, February 17, 1961
Lonnie taught music in the second year of Southwestern College existence. He directed the choir. Lonnie and Betty traveled with the choir back east at the close of that school year. Their first concert was east of the Mississippi River in Memphis, TN. All they asked from the churches was to prepare a meal at the church when they got to the church, provide homes to stay in for the night, a breakfast the next morning, and a care package--a light lunch for the road. In addition, they asked the pastor of each church to receive a love offering to help them with their gasoline expenses.
Their Southwestern College Choir traveled in five cars on this tour to present Southwestern College to the people back east in our church. They could not afford to lease a bus with a driver. So, they bravely traveled up the east coast to Toronto, Canada, and back down through the states to sing and minister in Pentecostal Holiness Churches, all the way to the General Conference that was held in Jacksonville, Florida.
Lonnie got permission from Dr. R. O. Corvin, the founder and first president of Southwestern College which today is Southwestern Christian University, to purchase a choir robe for each singer. That was a tough order because they had no funds to do that and Dr. Corvin thought the people back east would think that Southwestern College was too liturgical and stiff for their taste. Lonnie convinced Dr. Corvin that was not true, and he gave Lonnie permission to buy the robes. The people back east loved the choir robes. The special offerings that were received provided for the costs of gas and oil for the cars and the money for Lonnie to pay back his personal loan at his bank for the choir robes.
Later Lonnie and Betty moved to Washington, DC, where Lonnie wanted to get a master's degree. However, he made so much money as a salesman he never stepped inside the door of the university. Betty stood by Lonnie and supported him in what he wanted to do to provide for their family.
They attended the National Pentecostal Holiness Church in DC. Ray Stewart was the pastor. The church had a terrific pianist, Betty related, when they started attending our church. Meanwhile, in the passing of time this pianist and her family moved away, and Betty was asked to play the piano for the worship services. Ellen Robinson played the organ, and what a gifted musician she was.
Meanwhile, Oral Roberts, whom they had known all their lives called and wanted Lonnie to work for him to get his television program on television stations all across the country, especially a television station on Tulsa. Oral was embarrassed that he was not on a single TV station in his home town. So, it wasn't long that they moved to Tulsa to be associated with the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association where Lonnie worked directly with Oral Roberts.
Later, Lonnie was asked by T. L. Osborne to work for him helping him with his overseas crusades. Then, God opened a door for Lonnie to work with Billy James Hargis. It was with Lonnie's work with Hargis that Lonnie founded the David Livingstone Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian Christian organization. It was while Lonnie worked with Hargis that he wanted Betty to start a book store and she did. Betty was always creative and would do far more than was expected. So, Betty added items that women would love. In addition to the books, Betty provided in her book store items that women would like to purchase as gifts for friends and family, or for personal use.
During all the years Lonnie worked with the David Livingtone Foundation as the founder, CEO of this humanitarian enterprise and traveled extensively all over the world, Betty kept the home fires burning. She was a good mother to her three children and gave them the love and attention they needed. She meticulously took care of their financial obligations, wrote all the checks, balanced the checking account. Lonnie never had to worry and that took a load off his shoulders and freed him to concentrate on other things to help people in great need around the world.
In the process of time Betty was able to join Lonnie on some of his trips. She was with him when he met Pope John Paul. The relationship with the Pontiff was so good that the Pope invited them to travel to his summer home and enjoy the beauty of it and the countryside.
One of the innovative things that Betty and Lonnie did musically was to start playing twin concert grand piano concerts. They got the idea after seeing Frank Stamps and Harry Shelton do that. Betty concentrated on the lower keys and let Lonnie do his specialty with the upper keys where he excels. Lonnie loves to be a showman at the piano where he shines as a true professional pianist. You can watch and hear Lonnie as they play on twin concert pianos the great hymns of the church by Clicking Here.
I asked Betty what her hobbies were. She said that her hobby was music and that means playing their 9 foot Baldwin concert grand piano in their home. In addition, Lonnie related that Betty is the original Card Lady. She writes a lot of cards for her children and their spouses, 14 great grand children, and 9 grand children, as well as others.
Lonnie and Betty moved a number of years ago to Spring, TX, near Houston. They wanted to leave the snow and ice of Oklahoma and be in a warmer climate near the gulf coast, and medical doctors and facilities near by. They have a lovely home that is simply beautiful. Betty is a marvelous decorator. They have their yard and flowers taken care by professional lawn care people, as well as their outdoor, sunken swimming pool, that Lonnie needs for his exercise. Betty does not swim but enjoys seeing others find pleasure in their pool.
For these and more reasons I am naming Betty Sorrells Rex the 2017 and 2018 Hugh's News Woman of the Year.
You may wish to write Betty and congratulate her, as well as wish her a happy birthday which is May 25. She will be 88 years old, just two years younger than Lonnie.
Betty Rex
7914 Oxfordshire Drive
Spring, TX 77379
[Editor's Special Request: May I suggest that you forward today's Hugh's News with the story of Lonnie and Betty Rex to at least one person or more. I know you have a friend or a relative who would like to read about Lonnie and Betty Rex. They are a treasure to our church and the body of Christ worldwide. Please use the forward at the front of this newsletter. ]