Betty "Maw" Whitaker
September 20, 1931 ~ January 2, 2014
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Betty Hill Whitaker, 82, a life long resident of Asheville NC, died peacefully at home January 2, 2014.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Whitaker, her son Wade Lamar Whitaker, brothers Cecil, Harold & WR Hill Jr. and sisters Ruby Wharton and Laura Murray.
She is survived by her brother Bob Hill & wife Carolyn of Candler and a sister, Francis Earwood of Asheville. Also surviving are her children Steve Whitaker & wife Sharon of Fairview, Jeff Whitaker of Hendersonville, Roger Whitaker of the home, Tara Whitaker of the home, Linda Garrison & husband Dewey of Fairview and daughter-in-law, Debbie Whitaker of Oakley. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren (Scott, Tracey, David, Sarah, Brianna, Justus, Brooke, Lamar, honorary grandchild Miranda Byerly and foster grandchild, Brian Mitchell, Jr.) 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
The family would like to especially thank Hospice and her nurse, Susan for the exceptional love and care that was shown to her
Betty was well known in the Oakley Community because of her love of baseball and softball. All summer you could find "Maw" at the ballfields watching her kids and grandkids play ball where many of them excelled because of her input and coaching. She was a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan and loved her Tarheels. She was always the life of the party and kept her sense of humor until the very end. There is no better love than the love for a mother and grandmother. You will be missed…
The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road. The funeral service will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel and burial will follow in Cane Creek Cemetery.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
For Mamaw Betty I am thrilled to be an honorary grandchild! Mamaw loved me like her own and I have been blessed to have spent the last 8+ years as her grandchild.
you are in my thoughts and prayers.
My condolences… She was a great woman !!!!
Our Condolences and Deepest sympathy to the whole family. God Bless You All and comfort you. The Hills’
Words cannot express how much I learned from this woman and taught me how to be the man I wake up and try to be everyday. I love you and miss you mamaw. Thank you for my 29 years with you but I know you were at peace and ready to hug your husband and son once again!
Your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
It was an honor to be your granddaughter. I was so lucky to have that one extra supporter up on the hill at my softball games. I always made sure I found out where you were in the crowd. Anytime I could catch a Tarheel or Braves game with you made my day. This last ten months I was so lucky to have you around to sing those few more songs, tell me more stories about yourself or others and especially to hear all of those ‘I love you’s’ that were just understerstood and never questioned before your sickness. I was even lucky to have a Birthday buddy with your birthday being the day before mine. I will love you always and you will be in my heart forever. You will be missed….
My condolences, sympathy, prayers, and love go out to the family.
To the Whitaker family, I am so sorry to hear about Betty’s passing. My thoughts and prayers to the whole family.
Tracey- I am so sorry about your mamaw. I can only imagine how much she meant to you. Just know that I am thinking of you and your family, especially in the next few days. Just remember that ‘In our weakness, He is strong’ and the Lord will carry you through this time! Love you!
Tracey, I am deeply sorry for your loss, I know how special Maw was. May you cherish the sweet memories and may you feel comfort and peace during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Steve, I know how you feel and you know your Mother will live again at the resurrection of the righteous. Much love always, Eddie
My amazing Mamaw: I will love and miss you more than you will ever know. As much as I wish I could change, I know that we share a bond that I cannot even begin to share with another. You were the one who was there for me when I needed a good laugh or hug. No one could ever replace my mamaw. I will look at my future birthdays in a different light. I hope to make you proud as I know you are shining down on me. I love you forever and always.
This is a comment that was posted on my facebook by Harold Briggs…such a sweet message I decided to share it here so family and friends could read….
Harold Briggs
Hey Sharon,
‘Long time ago I coached ball at Biltmore when Jeff played. That’s the first time I ever met Betty. I had known Wade from when he worked at the oil company in Biltmore and him and Steve from playing softball and Ingles. Linda and Dewey from the ball fields too. And Roger to me was a lot like Betty, just laid back and easy to talk to. I’ve got Linda’s daughter Brooke as a Facebook friend and she’s been keeping me updated.
I’m not sure if I can make it Sunday, so I wanted to write this to you, and see if you’d pass it on to the kids.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Betty, but some things and people you never forget in your life. In my life she is one of those people. I’ve never seen anyone, that cared and supported her family as she did.
And it didn’t matter if she was in a hurry or had to be somewhere, if you ever stopped and talked to her, she’d talk to ya as long as you wanted to. I’m just sorry I didn’t know her better away from the ball fields.
The thing that makes me feel good about her is seeing and knowing she’s a part of everyone of her kids and grand kids. You don’t see that in families much anymore.
I’m very sorry to hear this. She was a GREAT lady and friend! My prayers are with the whole family. ‘
Harold Briggs
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. May the God of peace bring you comfort today and the many days ahead. May the fond memories remind you of her always and bring you comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:2-7
Here are several postings that I found in the Asheville Citizen Times obituaries that actually go to a different website. Have copied and pasted them here.
January 05, 2014
Our hearts go out to the family of Betty. May God wrap His loving arms around you at this time and always.
Maryalice Mobley (friend of Tracey)
– ==================================================
January 04, 2014
A wonderful lady,and great friend. I’m very sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family.
~
Harold Briggs,
Mills River, North Carolina
Contact Me
==========================================================
January 04, 2014
Such a beautiful lady. was good to all who knew her. She is rejoicing today in Heaven.
~
Joy Stewart
==============================================================
January 03, 2014
I know you have been through a lot of pain and sorrow lately.You are all very strong.My heart,tears and prayers are with you.She was something else on the ball field,yelling for every ones child even mine.She was a wonderful woman and will be missed terribly.Rest in Peace Betty.We will always love you.
Kay Pressley
asheville, North Carolina
Contact Me
==========================================================
LINDA I AM SO SORRY ABOUT BETTY’S PASSING. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT TILL I WAS ON THE WEB SITE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE AND I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN BE SAID TO TAKE AWAY THE PAIN YOU ALL ARE IN AND I WILL KEEP YOU ALL IN MY THOUGHTS
I am so sorry for your loss. I still remember her playing
ball at Oakley, but also her being jolly at the Asheville City Auditorium at
the Sayles Christmas Parties.