Joy Lynn Whitaker

Joy Lynn (Spratley) Whitaker, 58, of California, Mo., passed away Monday, September 28, 2015, at her residence. She was born June 14, 1957, in Hannibal, Mo., to Richard Spratley and Leota ( Epps) Spratley. She married William (Bill) Whitaker, September 24, 1977, in Molina, Mo. He preceded her in death. She was a member of First Baptist Church of California, enjoyed teaching Sunday School, and participating in Bible Studies. She worked at Cargill in California, Mo. for 27 years. She enjoyed raising money for The American Cancer Society by participating in Moniteau County Relay For Life. She enjoyed spending time with her mom, sisters, daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and their kids. Joy is survived by: her two daughters, Deanna Perez (Greg) of Jamestown, Mo., Jenny Brown (Aaron) of California, Mo.; her mother, Leota Dicken; five grandchildren, Melanie, Ashleigh, Nicolas Perez and Kadence Brown; two sisters, Melody Bergthold (Randy) of Perry, Mo., Gay Bergthold (Ricky) of Perry, Mo.; one brother, Richard Spratley Jr. (Kathleen) of Evans, Ga.; and three step brothers. She also had several nieces, nephews and great- nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by: her father, Richard Spratley; husband, William Whitaker; granddaughter, Kelsey Perez; step-father, Clifford Dicken and step-mother, Edna Spratley. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at First Baptist Church in California from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral Service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2015, also at the church with the Reverend Greg Morrow officiating. Burial will be held Friday, October 2, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Cochran Cemetery near Poplar Bluff, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Kelsey Perez Memorial Scholarship in care of Hawthorn Bank of California, Mo. Online condolences may be left for the family at PhillipsFuneralHomeCalifornia.com