ORU’s Beatty remembered in Anadarko community
ANADARKO — Ashley Beatty was the light on the basketball court and inside any room.
She played with a fiery passion, a wildness that helped lead Anadarko to the highest levels. She carried that over for two years at Oral Roberts University.
Those characteristics were remembered Tuesday morning among an estimated 700 people at Anadarko’s First Baptist Church.
Beatty, 20, died Thursday on ORU’s campus. It was news that rocked the campus in south Tulsa and small community west of Chickasha where she was adored.
“Ashley was a wild one,” said Lynn Bellamy, former Anadarko athletic director turned pastor. “You didn’t have to worry about how she felt on the court if she disagreed with a call or felt it was a bad shot. I loved the emotion and joy that she brought.”
Last season at ORU, Beatty started 20 games as a sophomore and averaged 4.7 points. In 57 career games, she averaged 5.1 points.
A star at Anadarko who captured the hearts of the basketball-crazed community, she helped lead the way to three title game appearances. With her older sister, Lakota, she raised a gold ball in 2012.
Lakota played two seasons at Oklahoma State and transferred to ORU once Ashley graduated high school. Lakota sat out the first season due to NCAA transfer rules, but returned last season to team up with her sister.
Those moments were all honored Tuesday. ORU’s women’s basketball team attended. So did members of Oklahoma State’s team.
They saw photos of Beatty’s career and watched a highlight video that put on full display her energy that won over communities and teammates.
“Her life is a success,” said her father George Beatty, a former star at Mount St. Mary and Oklahoma City University. “Tell your kids every day every time you get a chance how much you love them. Listen to them, no matter how subtle.”