Obituary for Betty Sue Kalishman (Whitaker)
Betty Sue Kalishman age 91, passed away peacefully with family by her side, on Monday, November 6, 2023, in Pensacola, FL. She was born in 1932 in Lake Village, AR, to Edwin Norton Whitaker, owner of Royal Crown Bottling Company in McGehee, AR and Geneva Dickson Whitaker of Selma, AR.
Betty Sue graduated from McGehee High School in 1950. While in McGehee, she obtained her aviator’s pilot license and began playing bridge with her dear cousin, Joann Hawley, and friends such as Lu Ellen Jones.
She moved to Marianna, FL. in 1972, continuing to play bridge with dear friends, such as Jane McKee. Next, she moved to Pensacola in 1974 and joined the Pensacola Duplicate Bridge Club, where she met and later married Sidney Kalishman. She became a Life Master through the American Duplicate Bridge League and continued to play duplicate bridge for many years.
Betty Sue was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Norma Lee Conforto; and her best friend and cousin, Joann Hawley.
She is survived by her husband, Sidney Kalishman; children, Kristiann Dickson of Parker, CO, Sue Carol (Michael) Sweeney of Owenton, KY, and Farrell (Sumi) Moseley of Lone Tree, CO; four grandchildren, Kristin Trigg, Kari Robinson, Bethany Taylor, and Jesse Sweeney; eight great grandchildren, Gregory, Raina, and Claira Taylor, Mia Sweeney, Jackie and Estella Robinson, Evelyn and Connor Trigg; nephew, Edwin Shafer; niece, Becky Laney-Sheers; and cousin, Joyce Hawley.
Interment will be at McGehee Cemetery with a Celebration of Life to be scheduled at a later date.
Trahan Family Funeral Home are over seeing all arrangements.
Betty Sue graduated from McGehee High School in 1950. While in McGehee, she obtained her aviator’s pilot license and began playing bridge with her dear cousin, Joann Hawley, and friends such as Lu Ellen Jones.
She moved to Marianna, FL. in 1972, continuing to play bridge with dear friends, such as Jane McKee. Next, she moved to Pensacola in 1974 and joined the Pensacola Duplicate Bridge Club, where she met and later married Sidney Kalishman. She became a Life Master through the American Duplicate Bridge League and continued to play duplicate bridge for many years.
Betty Sue was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Norma Lee Conforto; and her best friend and cousin, Joann Hawley.
She is survived by her husband, Sidney Kalishman; children, Kristiann Dickson of Parker, CO, Sue Carol (Michael) Sweeney of Owenton, KY, and Farrell (Sumi) Moseley of Lone Tree, CO; four grandchildren, Kristin Trigg, Kari Robinson, Bethany Taylor, and Jesse Sweeney; eight great grandchildren, Gregory, Raina, and Claira Taylor, Mia Sweeney, Jackie and Estella Robinson, Evelyn and Connor Trigg; nephew, Edwin Shafer; niece, Becky Laney-Sheers; and cousin, Joyce Hawley.
Interment will be at McGehee Cemetery with a Celebration of Life to be scheduled at a later date.
Trahan Family Funeral Home are over seeing all arrangements.