Betty R. White, 97, of LaGrange Park, Illinois and former Russell County resident, died on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the Plymouth Place Senior Living Community in La Grange Park, Illinois.
Betty was born on June 19, 1924, in Paradise, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph R. and Julia B. (Cobb) Hubbard. She grew up in the Paradise and Waldo area, and graduated from Waldo High School. Betty married Robert W. Lake August 7, 1942. A daughter, Rebecca, was adopted in July 1949 and in late 1950 Betty and Bob adopted two sisters, Frankie and Dorothy. In early 1960, due to her health, the family moved to Mesa and shortly after Scottsdale, Arizona. Betty lived in Scottsdale for over 47 years. Betty and Bob divorced in 1964. Betty worked as a dental assistant for years and in June 1968 married Virgil Unsworth. Betty then started managing apartment complexes around the Scottsdale area with Virgil doing the maintenance work. Virgil died of a heart attack November 1986. Betty continued to work managing apartment complexes and in January 1988 married Lt. Colonel William White. They enjoyed their life together traveling to visit places around the world where William was stationed throughout his long Air Force career. William died for Alzheimer’s in December 2003.
In 2008, Betty moved to the Chicago area to Plymouth Place to be with her daughter Dr. Rebecca Lake. Together, they enjoyed traveling, vacation cruises, various entertainment venues around the Chicago area, and watching the Cubs.
Surviving family includes her daughters Dr. Rebecca S. Lake of Westchester, Illinois; Frankie Bland and family of Luray, Kansas; and Dorothy Lake of Mesa, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph R. and Julia B. (Cobb) Hubbard, older sister Peggy Paramore, younger sister Donna Princ, brother Joseph E. Hubbard and her special friend Marjorie Palmer Green.
Cremation has been selected by the family and a private burial of ashes will take place at the Luray City Cemetery at a later date. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the arrangements.