My mother and my children’s grandmother went home to be with the Lord and her family on Feb. 13, 2014. Billie Bea was born July 20, 1928, in Rocky Ford, Colo., to Frank Cook and Icy Leona Cowan Cook.
She was the fifth child in a family of 11. She grew up in Fruita, Colo., and was graduated from high school in 1946.
She met Paul Whitaker, and they were married on Aug. 5, 1946. They had one daughter.
My mom and dad moved all over the United States because my dad worked on road construction. She was happy wherever they lived.
Bea managed the Montgomery Wards Store in Craig, Colo., from 1959 until 1974.
She married Keith Hutton and they moved to Carbondale, Colo. They became partners with her brother, Frank Cook, and bought the Dixon Club Bar and Restaurant in Dixon, Wyo., in 1977. Keith died in 1990 and Bea continued living in Dixon and working for the Postal Service.
She met her last companion, Pee Wee Loyd, in Dixon and lived with him until his death two years ago.
She was a wonderful, gracious lady who loved everyone. She made popcorn balls for the Snake River Valley every Halloween and all of the kids loved her. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She had been living in Rangely, Colo., in Eagle Crest Assisted Living at the time of her death and had made many wonderful friends.
She is survived by: her daughter, Vicky Pfennig of Rangely, Colo., her two grandsons, Robert (Krissi) Tucker, and their two two boys, Jacob and Avry of Battle Mountain, Nev.; Paul (Kim) Tucker, and two boys, Brett and Sam of Rangely; one brother, Charles Cook and family of Toledo, Ore.; a sister, Nancy Joann, of Grants Pass, Ore.; and many nieces and nephews that loved her, especially niece Brenda, whom she loved dearly, and Patty Waldron, her dear friend and boss.
There was a memorial service at Eagle Crest Assisted Living at 1 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2014, in Rangely. Wyoming services for Bea will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, at the Community Center in Baggs, Wyo.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.
Services are under the direction of the Park Avenue Mortuary in Meeker, Colo. Online condolences may be shared at www.ParkAvenueMortuary.com.