Betty J White - Whitworth

Betty Jean Saxon was born in Ponca, Nebraska on December 1st, 1930. She was the first child born to Rachel and Buell Saxon. Another daughter, Joanne was added to their family. They moved from Nebraska to Montana where Buell was a logger. He died from complications after an appendectomy. Rachel and her two little girls returned home to Nebraska. Merle, Buell’s older brother fell in love with Rachel and before long they were married. To this union, Bob, Jim, and Janice were born.

Betty’s parents were simple farmers who raised and trained Belgium draft horses and Quarter Horses on a small acreage in Ponca Nebraska.

Betty’s best friend led her to the Lord in her high school years. After high school, she attended college for one year and then began teaching at a country school. She enjoyed riding her horse back and forth to her first job.

She began dating Boyd White, a local boy, who had just returned from serving in the Army. She shared her newfound faith with Boyd and he too trusted Christ. Shortly thereafter, he felt called to go into the ministry. He enrolled in Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On a Sunday morning, while their families were in church, they slipped away to Minneapolis to elope and were married on March 6, 1950. Boyd and Betty were blessed with 3 children: Mark, Christine, and Jeffrey.

Boyd served as a pastor in several churches over many years in Nebraska and Kansas. Betty served faithfully and joyfully by his side through fifty-five years of marriage. Their shared goal in life was to declare and live out the love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Betty’s life verse is Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me.”

Boyd passed away in 2006 following a long battle with Parkinsons. Betty came to live next to her daughter Chris and husband Ed for the next six years which deepened the already close family bond. Betty’s legacy included caregiving as well as being the breadwinner for the family because of Boyd’s illness. She joyfully took on a variety of jobs including real estate agent, banker, and even a bra fitter at Dillard’s! Even though her ministry shifted her message was the same—to radiate joy and the love of Jesus to everyone she met.

In 2011 she met James Whitworth, a widower from Wichita who had lost his wife to cancer. He was a regular at Cracker Barrel and one day he noticed that Betty and her friend Sandy had prayed before their meal. He boldly came and asked them if they were “church going” ladies. Betty responded, “Well, I was a pastor’s wife!” A whirlwind romance followed, and they were married in the spring of 2012. James loved Betty and they brought each other much joy, laughter, and companionship. James passed away from Covid in December of 2020 and once again Betty returned to live next to Ed and Chris.

Betty’s final years were marked by the mental challenges of age; however, she remained faithful to Jesus. Even though dementia clouded many memories, she retained the ability and desire to pray with power, often in an-astonishing way! She transitioned from giving care to receiving care with grace and kindness. Betty was sweet and charming to all who met her. Betty graduated peacefully to glory on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Buell, Merle and Rachel Saxon; her first husband, Boyd White, and her second husband James Whitworth; her grandson T.J. Flora; and her brother, Jim Saxon. She is survived by her children, Mark, Christine (Flora) and husband Ed, and Jeff. Also serving are her grandchildren, Kaete (Morgan) and husband Kyal, Cameron and wife Jasmine, and Fiston. Her greatgrandchildren are Tanner, Thatcher, Tyler, and Tucker Flora; Drew, Dakota, Fionna, and Dalton Morgan; Flora Stutesman (Morgan)and husband Drew; and Camerie, Waylon, and Colter Flora.

Memorial services will be held at Shalom Mennonite Church the former Bible Baptist Church, in Newton, Kansas on Saturday, September 27 at 10am.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Lamb Mortuary, in Betty’s name, for Berean Academy and Wheat State Manor.