Betty L. Gillum

Betty L. Gillum, 85, Atchison, Kansas died March 31, 2021 at Medicalodge of Atchison.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Kelley officiating.

Betty Jo was born March 9 ^th , 1936 in Sabetha Kansas, the daughter of Ambrose Henry Hayes, and Leva Loretta Ellington. She attended Sabetha public schools and obtained her GED.   After obtaining her GED she went on to earn her nursing degree as a licensed practical nurse at Northeast Kansas Area Vocational School.

As a practical nurse, she took pride in the care that she provided for her patients, treating each and every one of them like part of her own family.  She spent the majority of her nursing career working for the VA Hospitals in Leavenworth, Kansas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  One of the most prideful moments of her career was assisting patients and providing care to those who were affected by the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.  She would retire from the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, after many years of dedication and service.

Betty Jo was a rare and precious gym, and was known and respected for her  "once in a lifetime personality".  She had many pleasures in life which included playing softball, fishing, and telling a good joke/story.  She also took great pleasure in singing with her family and dancing as much as possible.  Of all the things she loved in life, she loved her children and grandchildren the most, but she truly loved all of her family and she wasn't afraid to show it.

Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents Ambrose Henry Hayes, and Leva Loretta Roundtree.  She was also preceded in death by her siblings, May Etta Lane,  Mary Frances Vaughn,  Roberta Wilson,  Lucille Moore,  Mildred Penegraph,  Juanita Ellington,  William Hayes, and Clarence Hayes.  She was also proceeded in death by two daughters, Donna Bratton,  and Sherry Gillum,  and 1 grandson Tevin  Gillum.

She is survived by three children, Brenda Patterson, Kenton (Georgia) Russell, and Leva Gillum. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Tiffani (Ralph) Bratton, Tamara (Camille) Bratton, Kenton (Angela) Bratton, Everette Gillum, Siddeeqah (Louis) Abdullah, Larry Gillum, Traechelle Gillum, Kenton Russell II.  She is also survived by host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and loved ones.