Betty “Joanne” Withrow earned her well-deserved rest on July 8, 2025, after blessing us with 90 years of her gracious presence. Born on April 27, 1935, in Flint, MI, to Roscoe A. Hicks and Minnie “Irene” Emery. Joanne was a member of the Accelerate Church family and read her Bible daily. She volunteered at the Manchester Community Resource Center, where she worked in the food pantry to help families in need. She helped with Girl Scouts and was active in the Jerry Lewis MDA telethons, raising significant funds for muscular dystrophy. Her activities included daily walks, playing cards, solving crossword puzzles, shooting pool, and bowling, in which she earned several awards. She held a variety of jobs throughout her life, including working as a carhop, factory worker, and school bus driver, and many more in between. However, her favorite job was being mom to her eight children: Trudy Kaidan; Tina (Tim) Ahrens; Troy Withrow; Tab (Tina) Withrow; Todd Withrow; Tammy Withrow; Trenda (Bill) Eversole; and Trenton (Lori) Withrow. She was beyond proud of all her kids, and helped raise several of her 19 grandchildren,13 great-grandchildren, with one more expected, and 3 great-great-grandchildren with another on the way. She is survived by her sister Patricia McLemore of Davison, MI, sister-in-law Norleen Hicks of Clinton, MI, and sister-in-law Judy Szappon of Davison, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bonnie Ewing her brothers Jack Hicks, Bernard Hicks, Peter Szappon, Edward Szappon, and her granddaughter, Sabrina Roberson. Joanne was a loving and giving person with a heart of gold, who always saw the best in everyone she met, and will be remembered by her generosity toward others and her happy demeanor. A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held on July 22, 2025, from 4-6p at UAW Hall located at 2795 S. M-52 Hwy, Chelsea, MI 48118. Arrangements with Purse Funeral Home. www.PurseFuneralHome.com
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