Betty Jean (Maxey-Whorton) Martin, 79, of Blue Springs, Missouri, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Betty was born November 14, 1943 in Trenton, Missouri to Wilbur Marden and Margaret Leigh (Moore) Maxey.
Betty graduated from Raytown High School and later attended Central Missouri State University. She was united in marriage to Charles Stephen Martin on May 1, 1970 in Raytown, Missouri. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who cherished her family, especially her grandchildren, and loved unconditionally, while putting everyone before herself.
Betty was a member of the Church of Christ in Independence, Missouri. She was a very spiritual woman who loved her Lord. She was a great Cook who enjoyed showing her love through cooking. Betty had a love for art, while being a great artist herself. Betty always had the nicest looking yard in the neighborhood. She enjoyed yard work, tending to her flowers and gardens. Betty was an amazing storyteller, who always managed to entertain all the neighborhood children or anyone who was up for a good story. She has been referred to as the “Block Mother”, watching all the kids in the neighborhood after school. She really enjoyed spending time with all of her children’s neighborhood friends.
Survivors include her husband: Charles Stephen Martin; three children: Robin Letts and husband Kevin of Raytown, Missouri, Christopher Martin and his wife Laura of Blue Springs, Missouri and Stephen Martin and his wife Patti of Bates City, Missouri. Five grandchildren: Juan Letts, Camila Letts, Alex Letts, Jenna Martin and Hailey Martin. Sister: Carolyn Prather and her husband Gene of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Judy Whorton, Richard Whorton, Robert Whorton and Ronald Whorton.
A visitation will be held 5:00 P.M. Monday, May 1, 2023 at Meyers Funeral Chapel, 1600 W. Main St, Blue Springs, MO. Betty will have a Committal Service at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association. Memories of Betty and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
You are my best friend, mentor , most of all I am so blessed to call you my mother. You taught me how to love, never give up and perseverance. I will miss you every day of my life, I know you are in a much better place and will forever be our guardian angel. You loved your family unconditionally and your grandchildren were you whole life . I love you mom.
My heart goes out to your family Chris. You were truly blessed with a great loving mother, and I know you and your family will miss her dearly. Being with Jesus is a goal that most of us would like to happen at our time. I know the heavens are rejoicing because theyve gained a true angel. Jesus has transformed her into a perfect being, she is happy, and her new life begins forever after. Find solice and hope in that, our time here on earth is borrowed, and our real life begins with our heavenly father. It hurts, I know, I lost my mother 20 years ago, but i wasnt lucky enough to have the loving relationship between a child and mother, but I know shes there with your mom, all our loved ones awaiting our turn. We will be in their arms again, God always keeps his promises….love you, God bless and help you heal.
You have our deepest sympathy! We are tremendously saddened for your loss. The memory of your Mother will give you comfort, and her legacy live through you all! You and your family are in our minds and prayers. God Bless your family. –Sincerely, The Bledsoe Family
My friendship with Betty got off to a rocky start. First night of our move to Raytown, I wandered my twelve year old self from our new house to the front yard where I could hear kids playing catch in the street. I was by nature shy but still anxious to make their acquaintance. Suddenly, I heard someone shout, “Hey cookie,” and then from the voice of a tiny girl half my size, “Not you, dog biscuit!” No surprise, I fled inside, totally destroyed. Funny, I don’t remember how long it took for me to prove my baseball skills enough to join the neighborhood game, but thankfully, I was soon a regular visitor to the house next-door and fast friends with that little girl who had once terrorized me. Through junior high and high school, 4 foot, 11 inches Betty Whorton would be my bosom buddy. We rode the school bus together morning and evening; walked to Katz drug store in Laurel Heights where we routinely experimented with coke— that is test-tasting a variety of flavorings for coke— cherry, chocolate, and vanilla. We felt so daring. Ha! Later we both worked at the TG&Y across the parking lot from Katz, Betty in Toys, and me in Candy. Betty joined our family for a trip to Colorado and sessions of Bible School. We played 45 records and hours of hide and seek summer evenings. And we shared the tragedy of her sister Judy’s untimely death from a car accident. My dad standing over Judy’s coffin was the first time I ever saw him cry. Of course, life went on. We graduated from high school and went our separate ways except when I got married, Betty was one of my bridesmaids. Through the years, we seldom forgot the other’s birthday. Betty was faithful to call on occasion just to catch up. Before she lost her sight, we would meet at Independence Center for hugs and lunch. We were the best of besties because Betty was a bestie. She was my cookie and I was her dog biscuit. Geeze, I miss her!
I will always treasure my friendship with Betty. It began when we became neighbors. She was like a second mom to my children , especially while I was at work.
I remember how caring and loving she was to all. I also remember crying when she told me the family was moving.
We did lose touch for a time, and then thankfully reconnected.. During our friendship we shared a lot of ups and downs. A lot of tears and laughter.
For a number of years I have lived in Arizona, but always tried to visit Betty and Steve whenever I was in Kansas City.
God bless my dear friend and her family. You are truly missed..
Your loving friend always! 🥰❤️
So many things can be said about Betty. They all would be flattering and true. I’ve been thinking about her and thinking how fun she was for a “friend’s mom”….but then again, it was more like being with your friend’s silly friend! Oh the silly stories she would tell! What a character! I was very, very blessed to have her presence in my growing up years! RIP Momma Martin. I loved you!