Betty Jean Whatley

Betty Jean Whatley, 80, of Valliant, passed from this life into eternity, July 23, 2021, in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

Betty was born on January 25, 1941, to J.V. Bowen and Mary Lena (Speck) Bowen, in Rufe, Oklahoma.

She and Billy Whatley were united in marriage on June 14, 1958, in Hugo, OK, they were married 50 years and had 4 children.

Betty went to school at Mound Grove and finished at Valliant. She held several jobs including the glove factory in Hugo, Dave’s Grocery in Valliant, Peggy’s Café in Valliant, and her last being at the nutrition center in Wright City. Betty loved reading, quilting, and doing word search puzzles. She also loved music, with some of her favorites being Loretta Lynn and Elvis Presley. She had a very special love for her cats. She was a member of the Rufe Baptist Church.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Whatley; parents, J.V. and Lena (Speck) Bowen; son, Charles Whatley; and grandson, Kevin Holleman.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Debra Holleman and husband, Sylvester, of Wright City, Kenneth Whatley and wife, Kathy, of Valliant, and Reba Whatley and Jerry Mitchell, of Valliant; brother, Troy Bowen, of Valliant; sisters, Joyce Powell, of Idabel, and Charlene Efaw, of Valliant; sister-in-law, Fredalene Warford; four grandchildren, Jason Holleman and wife, Sara, of Owasso, OK, Tara Whatley, of Valliant, Caitllin Whatley, of Millerton, and Lane Whatley, of Valliant; eight great-grandchildren, Kloe and Zander Holleman, Lexy Level, Lakelin Roberts, Kevin, Emma, Aiden, and Autum Whatley; and a host of other family and friends.

A Visitation for family and friends will be on Monday, July 26, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Bunch-Singleton Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Rufe Baptist Church, with Bro. Melvin Holleman officiating. Interment will follow at the Moran Cemetery.

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