Betty Rose Vandegrift

Betty was kind and caring and had many achievements in life. She was a seamstress for many years, specializing in zipper installation before making history at Phillips 66 by becoming the first woman to operate a polypropylene machine while working with an all-man crew. She worked hard and was well respected by many.

After retirement she enjoyed staying active at home with many hobbies. She prioritized her health and loved going on long walks outside. She was a master gardener and loved to plant all types of flowers and vegetables. She definitely had the green thumb of the family. She was an avid ‘Young and the Restless’ fan, and thoroughly enjoyed listening and dancing to big band music.

Betty is survived by her brother, George William “Bill” Tichenor and his wife Audrey; her sons, Jeffrey Lynn Whipkey and Ricky Gwynett Whipkey and his wife Carolyn; her daughter, Marian Rose Young; her grandchildren, Tiffany Angel Lesniak and her husband Tim, Chrystal Rose Whipkey, Katie Lynn Jozwiak and her husband Michael, and Jacob Michael Young; and her great grandchildren, Annabelle May Lesniak, John Benjamin Lesniak, Penelope Jane Lesniak, Tristan Jayce Fassett, Layla Eden Ivy, and Tinsley River Jozwiak.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Thelbert “Til” G. and Nora Katherine Tichenor; her son, Terry Edward Whipkey; her sister, Helen Dolores Born and her brother Thelbert Gary Tichenor.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Traditions Health for the outstanding care given to our beloved Betty Rose and the compassion they have shown to our family during this difficult time.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 19th of April, in the Drawing Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A funeral service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning, on Saturday, the 20th of April in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The interment is to follow, via escorted cortege to Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers during Saturday’s service are Jeffrey Lynn Whipkey, Ricky Gwynett Whipkey, Jacob Michael Young, Michael Tony Jozwiak, Edward Delance Ivy & Tristan Jayce Fassett.