Betty Jean Whiting

Betty Jean Whiting, 70, formerly of, Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at the Fort Scott Manor.

She was born March 3, 1935, in Hutchinson, Kan., the daughter of Paul Cornelius Whiting and Elizabeth Virginia (Betty Jo) Graham Whiting.

She was a graduate of Wichita East High School. She attended Wichita State University and was a graduate of Draughon Business College. She retired in 2000 following 30 years employment with the Bank of Kansas in South Hutchinson. She spent her school years in Wichita, moving to Haven, Kan., in 1961, and to Fort Scott in 2000. She was a former member of the Wichita Rainbow for Girls, Grand Cross of Color, and Job's Daughters Bethel Chapter No. 54, Wichita. She was also past Grand Royal Matron of the Grand Court of Kansas and a member of the Regal Court, Order of the Amaranth in Fort Scott, serving as secretary, past Matron of Silver Leaf Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Hutchinson, having received her 50 year membership pin, and also a member of the Wichita White Shrine of Jerusalem No. 5. She was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, Haven, Kan.

She wrote and narrated patriotic programs for the Happy Kansas Players of the Grand Court of Kansas. The program was presented to the Kansas and Colorado Grand Courts Order of the Amaranth, the church's fraternal organizations, and senior citizens groups and nursing homes throughout Central and southeast Kansas and the Masonic Home in Wichita. She also planned patriotic marches for the Happy Kansas Amaranth Drill Team and was the Drill Mistress for presentations at the Wichita sessions of the Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth.

Survivors include two nieces; a nephew; one grand-niece; and three grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Paul Byron Whiting; and a nephew.

Visitation will be held today from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, Order of Amaranth services will be recited at 7 p.m. at the Chapel. Visitation will be held Friday from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Van Campen Funeral Chapel, Haven, Kan. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Congregational United Church of Christ, Haven, Kan. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mount Hope, Kan. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas, or the "Love Gift Fund" Grand Court of Kansas Order of Amaranth and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.