Betty “Clancy” H. Whitaker, 75, Bland, passed away Dec. 18, 2020, at Phelps County Medical Center in Rolla.
She was born Nov. 4, 1945, in St. Louis, a daughter to the late Harry E. and Betty L. (Wheeler) Leonberger.
She was united in marriage to Harold Gene Whitaker, April 30, 1966, at St. Johns Church in St. Louis. Gene survives at their home near Bland.
Clancy grew up in St. Louis and was a 1964 graduate of Lutheran South High School. She had been a Bland resident since 2006 after moving from St. Louis. She retired from Boeing in St. Louis after 30 years of service as an accountant.
Clancy enjoyed animals, flowers and her solitude. She liked listening to music and her tastes varied widely from opera to AC/DC. Clancy loved writing poetry and it was something she was very good at and proud of. She was the family stabilizer and tried to keep everyone in line. Clancy loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved the fact that she was able to watch the great-grandchildren over the last summer on the Chigger Hill Farm. It was the greatest summer ever. Clancy will be missed tremendously by her family and anyone who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Betty; and her grandparents.
In addition to her husband of 57 years, Clancy is survived by two daughters, Tamera Leach and her husband Christopher of Warrenton and Christine Orlando of Bland; five grandchildren, Kymberly, Stephen and his wife Kristen, Ashley, Michael and Holly Anne and her husband Levi; and nine great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Layla, Miya, Gauge, Kiera, Oliver, Quentin. Aubree and Olivia; as well as many extended family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, Dec. 28, at Sassmann’s Chapel in Bland from 12-2 p.m. Masks are suggested and social distancing guidelines must be followed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to St. Jude’s or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
Arrangements entrusted to Sassmann’s Chapel, Bland.
