Betty Whicker's Obituary
Betty L. Whicker, 86, of Moravia, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Centerville Specialty Care in Centerville following a lengthy illness. Betty was born to Harry and Naoma (Jennings) Atkinson on February 24, 1934 at home in Centerville, Iowa. She attended Centerville Public Schools. On July 22, 1951 she married Ronald "Max" Whicker and to this union, three children were born. Betty had several occupations over the years including: teaching Sunday School, waiting tables at the Cozy Inn and the Saddle Rock Caf in Centerville, cooking and serving food (and breading "the World's Largest Tenderloins") at Angel's Caf in Moravia and later on, managing Fat Annie's Bar in Moravia. She enjoyed Country and Western Music (Ferlin Husky and Conway Twitty in particular), collecting Betty Boop memorabilia, NASCAR racing (Jeff Gordon!), reading the newspaper and spending time with her family (including her "adopted" children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.) Most everyone knew her as Aunt Betty, Grandma Betty, Miss Betty or Betty Lou. Survivors include two sons: Ronald Wayne Whicker (PD) and John David Whicker (Dawn); eleven grandchildren: Peggy White, Nichole (Jason) Cory, Anthony Whicker, Lisa Spencer, Jerrod Naughtin, Jessica Naughtin and Chase Whicker, Keaton Gay, Anthony (A.J.) Whicker, Joseph Schmitz and Angela Benge; three siblings: Velma Evans, W.F."Bill" Atkinson (Pat) and Larry Atkinson (Debbie). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Max; daughter, Elizabeth Ann "Beth" Bitner and five siblings: Bonnie Beach, Harry, Elmer, Lonnie and Bob Atkinson, and special friends: Kay Mullins, Mary Lou McBride and Linda Moffat. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville. Interment will immediately follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia. Visitation will be on Friday, October 9, 2020 at Thomas Funeral Home with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date and online condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Betty Whicker please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Hillcrest Cemetery Moravia, IA Visitation OCT 9. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST) Thomas Funeral Home-Centerville 501 North 18th StreetCenterville, IA 52544[emailprotected]http://www.thomasfh.com Funeral Service OCT 10. 1:30 PM (CST) Thomas Funeral Home - Centerville 501 North 18th StreetCenterville, IA 52544[emailprotected]
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?