Betty Louise (Wake) Bittick passed away on July 26th, 2024, surrounded by her loving friends and family. Betty was a beloved sister, wife, mother, and, most importantly, a cherished “Granny.” She deeply loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she held dear above all else. Betty was born to Pleas and Tressie Wake on November 8th, 1943, in Douglas County, Missouri, as one of 14 children. In 1966, she met Alvin, affectionately known as “Short,” and they were married on April 16th, 1967. They shared 45 years of marriage until Short’s passing on January 4th, 2013. Together, they had four children: Patricia Lynn (Pat), Cindy Lee, Richard Scott, and Gary Dale, and later welcomed an honorary son, Don Eddie.
Betty was a dedicated member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Willow Springs, where she served as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher for many years, raising her children in the church and often providing rides for others. Known as “The Babysitter Who Raised Almost All of Pomona,” Betty had a lasting impact on her community. She enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals, and she had a passion for flowers, particularly roses and peonies, with a special fondness for tree peonies.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Pleas and Tressie; six brothers, Delbert, Dallas, Junior, Larry, Leon, and Paul; one sister, Vera; one grandson, Cooper; her husband, Short; and her favorite cousin Miney and husband Charles Smith. She is survived by three brothers, Dennis (and wife Sherrie) Wake of Aurora, Missouri; Mike (and wife Laura) Wake of Gainesville, Florida; and Keith (and wife Heidi) Wake of Blythewood, South Carolina; and three sisters, Sharon (and husband Rob) McPherson of West Plains, Missouri; Janice (and husband Steve) Duncan of Percy, Illinois; and Debbie Sue (and husband Willie) Smith of Willow Springs. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Marcella Wake of Springfield, Missouri, and Debbie Wake of Willow Springs, Missouri.
Betty is survived by her children: Pat Rees of the home; Cindy (and husband Joe) Girdley of West Plains, Missouri; Scott (and wife Melissa) Bittick of Willow Springs; and Gary (and wife Chelsea) Bittick of Willow Springs. She leaves behind nine grandchildren: Andy (and wife Amber) Bittick, Jennifer Louise, Charlie Bittick, Richard Girdley, Breanna Bittick, Harleigh Bittick, Zachary Holland, Zoe Shrubb, and Aria Bittick; and six great-grandchildren: Carlie Green, Kailee Green, Marley Green, Christian Bittick, Lincoln Bittick, and McKinley Bittick. Betty is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Betty’s family and friends will forever cherish her memory and the love she shared. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.
Funeral services for Betty Louise Bittick will be held Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the First General Baptist Church in Willow Springs, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
There will be a visitation on the same day, Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. also at the church.
