Betty Sue Wyckoff was born on March 24, 1932, in Lonoke, Arkansas, the first of 3 children to James Ray Jackson and Alberta Alice Bennett. When her father remarried, she became the oldest of 6 additional siblings totaling 9 children. As they lived in rural Arkansas, her mother, a schoolteacher, hung a sheet on the clothesline to alert her father, on horseback, to summon the local doctor as her delivery was imminent.

Since she grew up on a farm, she was familiar with farming chores including the gathering of food, eggs, milking cows and cleaning/ prepping of fresh meat. As a student in the local one room schoolhouse, where she walked to and from, she became a quick study. Having a teacher for a mom most certainly helped.

In addition to her schooling and, as the oldest of 9, she had many chores, including helping with the raising of her younger siblings.

Still, she had time to make lifetime friends and was popular with her school classmates. In high school she was named Queen of the high school dance.

At age 16, she went to work at a jewelry store in the nearest town. Because of her humble beginnings and, because the store owners liked her so well, they offered and purchased her graduating class ring.

After high school, she attended one semester at Mary Harden Baylor college on a scholarship. After this brief experience, she decided to forgo college in favor of earning a living.

She left home and moved to the south side of Chicago, taking a job at Western Union. She found a rooming house at Mr. and Mrs. George Gilley in Harvey, Illinois. This is where she met our father John D Wyckoff, her future husband.

The courtship was short as he asked her to marry him after just a few weeks. As a marine’s wife they were married in Opa-Locka, Florida and were stationed in Camp LeJeune, NC, Olathe KS, Tampa FL, Clark Airbase, Philippines, Ft Knox, KY until retirement. Dad, a 21-year veteran, was wounded in Korea and also served in Vietnam.

A very strong and resilient woman, Betty Sue handled the recurring relocations, often without assistance and while managing her own growing family of four children. She is survived by her three sons and daughter, John David, Jr., Diane Elizabeth Miller (nee Wyckoff), Mark Steven and Michael Glenn. There are also 7 direct grandchildren, numerous step-grandchildren and a great grandson, Bradley Voigt.

Betty Sue passed in the early morning hours, July 6, 2024. Mom was 92 years old.

In Lieu of flowers, the family would ask that a donation be offered to the following:

Suncoast Hospice Care Center – North Pinellas

164 W Lake Rd. Palm Harbor, FL 34684  Telephone (727) 467-7423