In Memory Of
Betty Jo Friday
1932
2024
Betty Jo Friday
January 24, 1932 — August 16, 2024
Betty Jo Friday, 92, of Topeka, passed away Friday, August 16, 2024.
She was born January 24, 1932, in Circleville, Kansas, the daughter of Orville and Martha (Bedford) Whitesell.
She graduated from Copeland High School in 1950.
Betty worked and retired from Jostens Yearbook after 32 years of service. She was a homemaker, enjoyed her family, and special gatherings with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She also enjoyed gardening, canning, her home and sewing (without a pattern). She sewed all three of her daughter's wedding gowns as well as bridesmaid and flower girl's dresses. She would also make various costumes for all her grandchildren. A request from them was never too much for grandma to undertake.
Betty married John Friday, Jr. on November 25, 1950 in Pulaskifield, MO. He preceded her in death on March 3, 2000.
Survivors include her children, Robert Dean Friday, Pat (Ray) Wadkins, Marva (Butch) McKinley, and Dana (Jerry) Taliaferro; sister, Carol (Ed) Zarda; grandchildren, Jennifer Wadkins, Mike McKinley, Justin (Chandler) McKinley, Rusty (Ashley) Taliaferro, Michelle (Jimmy) Smith and Janet (Jason) Nellis; great-grandchildren, Ethan Hayes, Jack Wadkins Nellis, Jett Nellis, Kailee Kottman McKinley, Risley McKinley, Miles McKinley, Avery Smith, Carter Smith, RaeAnna Taliaferro, and Owen Taliaferro; one great-great-grandchild, Weston Alan Hayes; sister-in-law, Jean Whitesell and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; siblings, Gwendolyn Ruth Garrison, Marvin Whitesell, and Loren Whitesell, and two grandsons, Greg Alan Wadkins and Chris Michael Wadkins.
The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Parker-Price Funeral Home.
A Funeral Ceremony will be at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Parker-Price & Davidson Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Half-Day Cemetery, in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ALSAC- Mid American PO Box 731 Memphis, TN 38105 or TARC (Development) 2701 SW Randolph Ave, Topeka, KS 66611 (in memo line please place: Betty’s name) or to St. Joseph-Sacred Heart Catholic Parish 227 SW VanBuren Street Topeka, KS 66603.
To share a memory of Betty or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
She was born January 24, 1932, in Circleville, Kansas, the daughter of Orville and Martha (Bedford) Whitesell.
She graduated from Copeland High School in 1950.
Betty worked and retired from Jostens Yearbook after 32 years of service. She was a homemaker, enjoyed her family, and special gatherings with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She also enjoyed gardening, canning, her home and sewing (without a pattern). She sewed all three of her daughter's wedding gowns as well as bridesmaid and flower girl's dresses. She would also make various costumes for all her grandchildren. A request from them was never too much for grandma to undertake.
Betty married John Friday, Jr. on November 25, 1950 in Pulaskifield, MO. He preceded her in death on March 3, 2000.
Survivors include her children, Robert Dean Friday, Pat (Ray) Wadkins, Marva (Butch) McKinley, and Dana (Jerry) Taliaferro; sister, Carol (Ed) Zarda; grandchildren, Jennifer Wadkins, Mike McKinley, Justin (Chandler) McKinley, Rusty (Ashley) Taliaferro, Michelle (Jimmy) Smith and Janet (Jason) Nellis; great-grandchildren, Ethan Hayes, Jack Wadkins Nellis, Jett Nellis, Kailee Kottman McKinley, Risley McKinley, Miles McKinley, Avery Smith, Carter Smith, RaeAnna Taliaferro, and Owen Taliaferro; one great-great-grandchild, Weston Alan Hayes; sister-in-law, Jean Whitesell and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; siblings, Gwendolyn Ruth Garrison, Marvin Whitesell, and Loren Whitesell, and two grandsons, Greg Alan Wadkins and Chris Michael Wadkins.
The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Parker-Price Funeral Home.
A Funeral Ceremony will be at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Parker-Price & Davidson Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Half-Day Cemetery, in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ALSAC- Mid American PO Box 731 Memphis, TN 38105 or TARC (Development) 2701 SW Randolph Ave, Topeka, KS 66611 (in memo line please place: Betty’s name) or to St. Joseph-Sacred Heart Catholic Parish 227 SW VanBuren Street Topeka, KS 66603.
To share a memory of Betty or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Jo Friday, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, August 24, 2024
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Visitation
Sunday, August 25, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Service
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Guestbook
Visits: 25
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