BECKI A. WHITSON
July 26, 1953 – December 18, 2020
Both the choir and cheer team in heaven have gained a new member.
becki started out in Newport Beach but from toddlerhood on, was a Bakersfield native. Her love of the beach must have been born with her as she enjoyed time at Ventura and Morro Bay often.
Professor Emeritus at Bakersfield College, she made an impact on many lives in her psychology classes, as a cheer coach, president of the alumni association and serving on the board of the archives. Her impact, though vast at BC, did not stop there. She worked tirelessly for missions organizations with church and donated to nearly every nonprofit that asked for support.
becki attended Bakersfield High School where she ran track, cheered, and danced. Yes, once a Driller… After high school she attended and cheered for BC. From there she worked in accounting and then earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSUB. She was a marriage and family counselor for a few years, but early on found her love of and gift for teaching; she remained at BC until her retirement in 2017.
Her Ventura group, bunco pals, birthday buddies, and her family will miss her terribly. However, she was given the ultimate Christmas gift this year – everlasting life with Jesus Christ. She no longer fights cancer nor the maladies that come with it. She is whole again and she is singing, dancing, and praising the Lord for eternity.
becki is survived by her life partner, Chuck Miles, daughter Nichole and Tim Scanlon and granddaughter, Lexi Kate. Her siblings – Dave Bethell and wife, Judy and Deborah Noble. Her niece – Kris Petty and husband Ernie Leal and their son Ian. However, we know that countless students, patients, colleagues and friends looked upon her as a mother, sister, mentor and leader and the family mourns with them as well.
She is predeceased by her parents Nona and Charles Bethell and brother-in-law Ken Noble.
Due to the pandemic, there will be no services now. Please mark your calendar for July 26, 2021 when we can safely gather for a celebration of becki. We will grieve now and celebrate on her birthday in Renegade style with cheer teams, excellent food, worship, and a fight song tribute performed by current and alumni cheerleaders. Details will be shared publicly closer to the date.
If you would like to honor becki, you may donate to – BC Alumni Association (for scholarships), BC Archives (curating BC memorabilia), the BC Cheer Team or the nonprofit of your choice.