Betty Jane White
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Betty Jane White, 96, of Raytown, Missouri, passed away on February 22, 2019. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. at the Southwood United Church of Christ, 7904 Raytown Rd, Raytown, MO 64138. There will be a visitation prior to the service at 4:00 P.M.
Betty was born Betty Jane Erickson on March 8, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents, Finn and Edna Erickson, were immigrants to the USA. Betty passed away on February 22, 2019 at the age of 96. Betty was many things to many people, daughter, sister, wife of more than 50 years, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a steadfast member of her church.
Betty was ahead of her time, progressive and adventurous, she left her home and family in Buffalo, New York to attend college in West Virginia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1944. After graduation she worked full time as a professional until marrying Richard White in 1954. Richard and Betty had two sons, Paul and Chris. The family was very mobile, moving 13 times in 15 years between 1955 and 1970. Betty was finally able to settle down in Raytown, Missouri in 1970. She influenced Richard to finally put down some roots and purchased a home there in 1972.
Betty loved music, reading, and staying abreast of current events. Betty was strong, kind, calm, and caring. She had a quick wit and a great sense of humor.
She was a woman of great faith and believed firmly in a merciful, caring God. Betty was a long standing member of Southwood United Church of Christ where she served alongside people she respected and cared for very deeply. She had the heart of a servant and was a volunteer in many groups.
Family was always at the top of her list of those she loved and her care and concern for her “people” was boundless. Betty is survived by her sons, Paul F. White of Lone Jack, Missouri and Chris A. White of Minneapolis, MN; daughter in law Lisa White, granddaughters Amanda White, Codi Tennant, Jennifer Howard, and Elizabeth Alvarez; and great grandsons Gus White and Ira Tennant.
A life as full and long as hers cannot be summarized in a few paragraphs. She lived from the era of the horse and buggy to the age of space travel, and cell phones. The changes she saw were without parallel. Betty was loved and will be missed by everyone she interacted with. As Betty would always say: Blessings and Peace.
Visits: 2
My condolences to the Erickson family for the loss of their loved one, Betty Erickson White. I corresponded for several years with Betty concerning my research of the Ericksen tree. Betty’s father, Finn Erickson and my grandmother, Sigrid Ericksen were siblings. I did prepare a book covering all the descendants of Anton and Dorthea Ericksen. If any of the family wishes to contact me concerning the tree, please contact me at the address below. Any update information would be appreciated.