Betty Whitson

Betty Joyce McCall Whitson, 79, of Milton, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Betty was a graduate of Troy State University and a retired educator for Santa Rosa County Schools, dedicating over 30 years to teaching scores of children, primarily at T.R. Jackson Elementary and Bagdad Elementary. She was a lifelong member of Community of Christ, serving for years alongside the Saints of the Milton Congregation. Betty was the beloved daughter of the late Emmett and Ruby McCall, of Dixonville, Florida. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Mahlon McCall and Dehryl McCall; a sister, Faith McCall Higdon; and two adopted sisters, Grace McNaughton and Peggy Arnold. Betty was the devoted mother to three children, William (Becky) Whitson, Michael (Janet) Whitson, and Virginia Joyce (Michael) Harrod. She is also survived by five dearly loved grandchildren, Stephen (Joanna) Whitson, Katie (Jon) Arnold, Wesley Harrod, Emily (Adam) Rodriguez, and Karaline Harrod, two unborn great-grandchildren, and a host of dear friends and extended family. Visitation will be at held 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2016, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2016, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel, with Elder Jackie Crutchfield officiating. Graveside services will be at Dixonville Cemetery following the funeral. A fellowship meal will be hosted by the Milton Congregation of Community of Christ at 110 Raymond Hobbs Street, Milton, Florida, following the burial. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff at Watermark of Gulf Breeze and Covenant Hospice for their expert and compassionate care of Betty in her final days. Donations in memory of Betty can be made to Milton Community of Christ at PO Box 410, Milton, Florida 32572.