Dec. 27, 1929 ~ Dec. 18, 2024
Betty Sue Whiteaker (Graves) was born on December 27, 1929, in Hollis, Oklahoma, to Mayfair Shiplet Graves and John (Bud) Graves. She moved with her parents and siblings to Sudan, Texas when she was a child, where she lived for over 70 years. She was a talented and creative musician and artist, with a knack for the best home-cooking West Texas had to offer. Sue had a deep love for music and was known for playing the piano, singing, as well as painting and sewing. She began singing publicly for weddings and other events in the 1940s and continued to share her music for fun into the 1980s. Sue also entertained the residents at Carillon, where she lived from 2012 until her passing.
Sue was passionate about sharing her knowledge, creativity, and cooking with others. She taught her grandchildren how to paint with the help of Bob Ross and loved to make her special homemade pancakes, syrup, and world-famous oatmeal cookies, which were a favorite treat for her grandchildren. She passed on her love of music, art, and cooking down to her children and grandchildren. In addition to playing the piano and painting, she loved playing games of bridge and dominoes, reading, discussing gardening, and making her family and friends laugh with her wry sense of humor. Above all, Sue cherished her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren.
Betty Sue is preceded in death by her husband, Judge Wayne Whiteaker; her son, Gerry Brent Whiteaker; her parents Bud and Mayfair; and her brothers Benny, Jimmy, Don, Gaylon, Arlon, and Rex Graves.
Sue's memory will live on in the hearts of her daughters, Sherry Whiteaker and son, Justin, Venita Whiteaker Gross and children, Melissa (great granddaughter Emma), Danny, Matthew (great granddaughter Soleil), grandchildren, Miriam Ferraro (great grandchildren Marco and Ciro), Candace Evans (great grandchildren Jack and Layla), Chloe Whiteaker (great granddaughter Zoe), Celeste Whiteaker; Betty Sue's sister, Fernella Joy Graves Gilcrease, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate Sue's life will be held on February 1, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel at Carillon at 1717 Norfolk, Lubbock, Texas. A reception will be at 2:00 at Carillon, just prior to the service.
As Sue' family celebrates her life and mourns their loss, it is requested, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Shelby's Bridge in Sudan, Texas.