BETTYE WHITNEY

Bettye Whitney, the founder of The Corners Bed and Breakfast in Vicksburg , died Saturday, March 22, 2008, at home.  She was 85.

Bettye was raised in Dallas , Texas .  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and received her Masters Degree in counseling from North Texas State University .  Bettye had a successful career as a school guidance counselor and private practice family counselor in Dallas , where she was a member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and listed in the Who’s Who of Family Therapists.

Bettye was an accomplished portrait artist, who created pastel portraits on commission.  She also was a talented writer and wrote a collection of short stories about her childhood.

Bettye brought her artistic flair to Vicksburg , when she and her late husband, Cliff, bought The Corners on Oak Street in 1985.  The Whitneys were on their way from Dallas to Washington , D.C. , to see their newborn grandson, Nick Whitney, when they made a wrong turn and ended up in Vicksburg .  Bettye and Cliff stayed at Cedar Grove, and, when they saw that the home next door was for sale, they bought it on the spot. 

The Whitneys built The Corners from a private residence into a 15 room inn over the following twenty years.  After her husband’s death in 2005, Bettye sold the business to her daughter and son-in-law, Macy and Joe Trahan.  Bettye continued living at The Corners until her death.

Bettye’s lifetime goal was to touch all fifty states.  She almost achieved her dream, after touring Hawaii this past summer.  Unfortunately, North Dakota will miss getting to meet her, although it will have the distinction of being her nemesis.

Bettye is survived by her son, Cliff Whitney III , of Vicksburg , her daughter Kerry Paige Whitney of Dallas, her daughter Martha Whitney Newman of Ponte Vedra Beach , Florida , and her daughter Macy Whitney of Vicksburg .  Mrs. Whitney has six grandchildren – Nick Whitney, Reed Whitney, Cole Whitney, Yale Newman, Bryn Newman, and Jade Whitney. 

Services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2008, at First Baptist Church , 1607 Cherry Street , with visitation at The Corners, 601 Klein Street .