June 5, 1947 - January 7, 2021
Her Story
“Betty was a lover of Her God and His people and would tell anybody of His great Love”. Betty Jean Spikes was born on Thursday, June 5, 1947, in the middle of the night, on Storrs Street in Painesville, Ohio. Betty departed this earth on Thursday, January 7, 2021, in the middle of the night, at TriPoint Medical Center in Concord, Ohio; surrounded by her family and loved ones and Pastor Travis McQueen, listening to her favorite Gospel songs and many prayers. Eighth child, born to the union of Willie Andrew Spikes Sr and Lady Mae Adkins Spikes. Grandparents were Mack Spikes and Mary Lue Clayton Spikes, King Agrippa Adkins, and Maggie Nolia Fullwood Adkins (all deceased) Betty will be immensely missed by her host of family and friends. To know her, was to love her, she was simply divine. Celebration of the life of Betty Jean Spikes-Falkner
Brothers Mack (deceased), Willie Andrew Jr (living), and Ralph Spikes (deceased). Sisters Merrell, Eloise, Eva and Juanita, and baby sister Linda (all her Sisters are deceased). Betty lost her dad at age 4, much too soon, Lady Mae was such a devoted, wise, and loving Mother that managed to do it all after the passing of her husband Willie. Every one of them graduated from T.W. Harvey High School and some even graduated college; they never missed a Birthday or Christmas or special holidays in between; they all grew up in a home filled with love. With the grace and mercy of God, her parents were able to show their family that monetary value was not everything, but with love you always have everything you need. In 1955 Betty became an active member of St John Baptist Church Painesville, Ohio; under the Pastoral Leadership of Rev, Wilbur Jones (deceased) of Cleveland, OH; she was baptized at Calvary CME church in Painesville as the baptismal pool had not been completed at St. John. She actively served on the MR guilds, choir, and usher board; she was also responsible in her teenage years to type set the bulletin for Sunday morning service. Betty was a highly active child anything her brother Ralph could do; she could do better! From jumping over the hedges in the front yard, to playing kick ball, baseball, skating on the sidewalk, riding her bicycle, with the Mathews Street gang; to climbing on top of the garage in the backyard watching the cars go by on Jackson Street and naming the type of car just from the sound of the engine. Once, her eldest Sister Merrell came back home to visit after being married, just to play baseball with her siblings, they played so hard and aggressive, that the baseball hit her and broke her skin pretty bad, and Merrell did not want her to go into the house to show their Mother what had happened and neither did she as they knew the game would be over. They kept playing the game until they finished then went inside to get help from Mother. She loved playing sports, Basketball was her favorite to play, she would often say, “I ‘d rather play Basketball than to watch it on television.” Betty’s accolades and educational experience began at Painesville City School graduating from Thomas W. Harvey HS, Class of 1965 with a concentration in Business under the DCT Diversified Cooperative Training. In addition, she also attended the Lakeland Community College pursing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Some of her extracurricular activities were music and glee club. Betty was also a Girl Scout; she often would recite their creed during jovial moments. Betty married Roger Falkner Sr. (deceased) November 1967. They met at the Morse Avenue playground; she was introduced to him by her younger sister Linda. Three children were born to their union: Son, Roger Jr., (children Kourtney Maurice, Roger III (Tre’), Gianna Rachelle). Daughter, Kelly (Verlin II) Falkner Williams; (children Brittney Michelle and Verlin Germaine III). Son, Jason Andrew, (children Tashianna Reenah and Zachary Ryan.)
They loved having gatherings at their home; from hosting Pastor’s Aid’s dinners to just socializing with their friends; everyone loved when she made her famous Texas Sheet Cake and Peppered Steak. Betty kept an impeccable house while holding down a full-time job and running errands for her sister Eloise and her mother Lady Mae, never did you see her just sitting around doing nothing. She and Roger later divorced July 1983, deciding to part ways amicably. Betty instilled in her children and grandchildren as well as her nieces and nephews some of the same values that were taught to her by her Mother, Lady Mae. At times she could be strict, but we know it was only for our protection; and she was also a very giving Mother, if you needed it, she gave it and that was to any one in need. However, she made sure her children were in church and actively participating; even when she couldn’t be there due to her health, no excuses as to why her children couldn’t be there. She wanted us all to know Jesus and receive salvation, that was most important. Even during one of her last gatherings she reiterated to her family as we all stood around her bedside, she wanted them to receive Salvation so they would one day see her and our loved ones in heaven one day. She genuinely enjoyed her family gatherings. Betty was a no limit soldier in more than one way, she always kept God first in everything she did. From giving advice to her Senior friends and Cousins on what they should do for health care services to helping them plan out their meals. She often in her later years had her children Roger, Kelly, and Jason and sometimes her nieces and nephews help execute what she needed to get done, if she could not do it herself. If there was an event to be had, she could execute very well without physical limitations or from her bed even during her physical limitations; from making the necessary phone calls and making sure every detail was in place, she could get it done. Betty was the heartbeat of her household; she was a planner as many of the details in this obituary that you are reading were prepared in advanced. There was once a wedding on Valentine’s Day in 1992, for her nephew Rodney and his bride Anet when she could still walk, that she helped to execute, and it seemed as if this wedding had been planned out months in advance. She helped many of her nieces coordinate their weddings and other events. Her last event she planned was the 80th Birthday drive by for her brother Willie and entrepreneur event at New Hope Baptist Church; yes, she was that good. She always directed you to do the most proper thing in all circumstances. One of her favorite sayings to her children, especially if they were fighting or misbehaving was “He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is LOVE” I John 4:8, which was usually followed by a corrective action, as her children never knew what that punishment would be… punishment could have been her blue hair comb coming in for a hot landing against your skin or you just did not know until the very moment, (you can laugh). Betty’s Work Experience Her first job January 1965, her Senior year in high school; was at The Lake Theatre as a popcorn concession stand attendant, Mary Poppins was the big feature movie that year. She was required to climb into the popcorn machine at closing to clean the entire machine, she also was very quick with her calculations on orders, for the patrons. June 1965 she was employed by the Ohio Bell company as a local and long-distance operator number 32. Her oldest brother Mack drove her to Cleveland to take her test for Ohio Bell, and yes, she passed on the first time. From 1965-1974 the company moved its base to Cleveland, Ohio. She did not travel with them because she had young children and wanted to be close in case of emergency. So, she severed ties with them, and became a substitute secretary for Painesville City Schools, auxiliary clerk for St. Mary’s under the remedial program. She worked as a Magnetic Card Typist for John Shoop, prosecutor of Painesville approximately 2 years. Then employed by the Perry Nuclear Power Plant August 1979 she was a Buyer for the Spare Parts Division. Their favorite saying “Parts R US”. God redirected her life’s plans, with a severe flare up with Multiple Sclerosis, she had been keeping it at bay since 1974. God’s plans for her life changed in March 1992. She always wanted to be like the secretary Peggy on Mannix, we think she came close and beyond. Betty’s Personal Life Experiences Her church affiliation was changed in 1972 to the New Hope
Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Vincent R. Miller (deceased). She would have been there for the first meeting, but she was on evening shift at Ohio Bell downtown Painesville. She remembered driving past James and Genie Dillard’s house on Kerr Avenue and telling Pastor Miller, she was with them. During her service at New Hope, she served on the Deaconess board, visited the sick and shut in, as well as singing in the choir under the direction of Merlin Harding one of the songs she led was “Jesus, When Troubles Burden Me Down”; she also taught Sunday School. Betty loved to travel when she could; trips to Disney and the Bahamas to visiting her family in Rochester, New York and Beckley, W. Virginia and Cincinnati, Ohio, was a favorite thing to do, which over time as her health declined those visits turned into phone calls. Betty and her siblings would often call anyone they knew on their birthdays to sing a “Happy Birthday” tribute, some of you may have received a few of those of phone calls. She was also known to call up to the Cleveland Indians to have them announce special birthdays and anniversaries for family and friends. Her hobbies were working the telephone, often having 3-way conversations for hours; which was later integrated with using Facebook, the new modern convenience of communication, and then the use of Alexa, her favorite AI; watching ALL the baseball games she could, she loved her Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns. She was such an avid fan, she often was able to get on the phone and talk to Bruce Drennen during his sports television show, All Bets Off; she also enjoyed watching tennis, and loved seeing the Williams’ girls perform! She also loved Flower Designing and Candy making were a few other things she enjoyed as well. Her favorite color was blue, she loved all shades of blue especially, Cinderella blue. Some of her favorite Bible verses: 1 John 4:8. Whoever does not LOVE does not know God, because God is LOVE. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. James 1: 2-4 Count It All Joy!!! 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers’ temptations. 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Betty’s favorite Songs were: “Do Not Pass Me By” and “Hold to Gods Unchanging Hand” and her all-time favorite “Blessed Assurance”. My Closing Lines: Won’t you help me lift the Savior up and meet me round the throne in that great getting up morning, fare the well. Do not grieve for me as I am well and embracing God’s GLORY!!! Betty leaves to cherish her memory: Her Children; Roger Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio; Kelly (Verlin) Williams of Painesville, Ohio and Jason of Painesville, Ohio. Grandchildren: Kourtney Maurice Falkner of Cocoa, Florida, Roger III (Tre) of Merritt Island, Florida, Gianna Rachelle Falkner of Cleveland, Ohio; Brittney Michelle Williams of Fowler, Ohio and Verlin Germaine Williams III of Westerville, Ohio; Tashianna Reenah Falkner and Zachary Ryan Falkner of Painesville, Ohio. Brother: Willie Andrew (Nell) Spikes Jr of Painesville, Ohio. Former Daughter’s in Law: Pamela Falkner of Cocoa, Florida and Yvonne Falkner of Cleveland, Ohio. Special Nieces and Nephews: Debra Stallworth of Euclid, Ohio; Sylvia Spikes of Findlay, Ohio; Melinda Johnson of Euclid, Ohio; Tishani Scott of Strongsville, Ohio; Ticel Smith-Hargrove and Bellamy Smith-Hargrove of Ankeny, Iowa; Anthony Spikes Sr. of Painesville, Ohio; Troy Spikes of Findlay, Ohio; Albert Gibson Jr. of Painesville, Ohio; Anthony Johnson Sr. of Miamisburg, Ohio. God Children: Damian Spikes, Travon Mixon, Jericia Johnson, and James Johnson. She also over 100 additional Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins, she loved each of you dearly! Special Friends and Family: Cynthia Puckett of Painesville, Ohio; Barbara Aston of Seabreeze, Texas; Mother Dorothy Dozier of Cleveland, Ohio; Willa Wilburn of Cleveland, Ohio; Gloria Robinson of Cleveland, Ohio; Louise Sams’, Rose Edwards, C.J. Spikes, and Rose Lyons all of Painesville, Ohio; Vivian Arline of Beckley, W. Virginia; Maurice Wright of Cleveland, Ohio and Henry Williams of Fort Wayne, Indiana. As you can imagine Momma was often on the phone.
Celebration of Life Order of Service Friday January 15, 2021
Visitation - 11:30 am Celebration of Life Service - 12:30pm New Hope Baptist Church 428 W. Jackson St. | Painesville, Ohio 44077 Reverend Travis C. McQueen- Pastor, Eulogist Bishop William O. Stallworth- Officiant
Organ Prelude Processional Led by Clergy Scriptures Old Testament - Psalm 1:1-3 New Testament -James 1:2-4 Invocation Bishop W.O. Stallworth Selection “Blessed Assurance” Acknowledgements/Resolutions New Hope Baptist Church Obituary Read Silently Selection “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” Expressions of Remembrance Two Minutes Please
(If we run out of time you can share at the graveside)
Eulogy Rev. Travis C. McQueen Recessional Clergy and Family Committal Ceremony and Final Disposition Interment Riverside Cemetery Painesville, Ohio 44077 Division 8/ Lot 334/ Grave 1
Tributes Words of Expression Thank you, MAMA, for being the BEST MOM EVER!! And making sure that you made me stay on the right path in life. And I know
you’ll be looking down on us FOREVER!! - Love Your #1 Son, Roger Jr.
Mother, you always let me know I was a part of something much Bigger you’re part of something way better; Bigger than you, bigger than we. If you feel insignificant you better think again, better wake up, your part of something way bigger, step in your essence know that you’re excellent. Understand that question in your soul, look up don’t look down, I’ll be the roots, you be the tree pass on the fruit that was given to me, were part of something way BIGGER Bigger than the picture they framed us to see Legacy, oh, you’re part of something way bigger Let love be the water; I pour into you and you pour into me There ain’t no drought here; Bloom into our actual powers I’ll be your sanctuary, you just don’t know it yet You just don’t know it yet; No matter how hard it gets You got my blood in you; And you’re gonna RISE… We listened to this song by Beyonce several times over the past few months while I was caring for you; and the last time we listened to this together was on December 19, 2019. I was very emotional this day, spirit was talking, and I was listening. It was such a JOY to take care of you since 1999, you never once complained about your condition. Instead, you told us to make sure you had all your favorites, and we did just that; from your Chanel No.5, Whitman’s Sampler chocolate, Floral arrangements and the list can go on and on. You always knew what to say, some might have even called you a Chatty Cathy, you could spend hours talking just about anything. You were pure elegance and wisdom, I know you often felt you weren’t enough, but I often would holler out during an epiphany saying, “Mommy, thank you for everything” and you would laugh, because you felt you could have always done more. I’m grateful to have had the relationship we had, you never sugar coated anything you always told me the truth about life and how to navigate life. I know I learned more from watching you than what you told me. Especially the years you spent helping and taking care of Auntie Eloise and your Mother Lady Mae. I feel you all groomed me to become the woman I am today. I am grateful for the input you gave for Blue Shuga and Lee Ester’s Girls. The last words you spoke to me, were “Do what you need to do for yourself, I will be okay”. And I’m going to do just as you said. Love you as you would always say. - Your Darling Daughter Kelly Throughout my life, you have always been nearby. At first you were a hand to hold the person who came running to pick me up when fell. I am so thankful for your wisdom, advice, your words of encouragement and silent prayers. I’m strong; it’s because you showed me how to pick myself up, to move on and learn from my mistakes. My mother is like no other; she gave me life, nurtured me, taught me, dressed me, fought for me, held me, shouted at me, kissed me, but most importantly she loved me unconditionally. There are not enough words to describe just how important my MOTHER is to me and what a powerful influence she continues to be even in death. - Love you always, your favorite son Jason Andrew Falkner ’76 P.S. I’ll be taking your food boxes to Uncle June and Aunt Nell Dear grandmother I’ll always remember you singing happy birthday to me and our long talks about the Cleveland Indian baseball games, heaven has gained an angel in the outfield. I love you with all my heart. - Kourtney To my Grandmother ... The one thing you ALWAYS managed to show me without even trying, was your strength. All the times, if I were in your position where I would have crumbled, you kept your faith in God and told me “Sad for what? God is with me always!” I won’t ever forget that. I will continue to carry those words with me, especially now, because there’s always a way even if it seems that there’s no way. You instilled in me from a baby that I can be whatever I want to be, and I’m going to do just that. I love you, and now I know you’ll be watching over me. Fly high. - Brittney To my Abuela... I thank you for being my teacher, leader, and protector. You never failed to let your light shine on others. Never failed to let people know that you were thinking of them. Never failed to speak your mind. If I can be half the person that you were, that would be an accomplishment. I couldn’t possibly count the number of times I’ve used something you’ve taught me, taken your recommendation, or done the right thing simply because you were there. I thank you for showing me how to be a great person and I hope to live a life that will lead me back to you so I can thank you face to face. -Verlin Williams III Unread letter to my Grandmother, your blessing and love will truly be missed. I will never forget the phone calls of you singing me and my brother Kourtney happy birthday with your sweet little voice in October. My heart is settled by the visit I recently had with you in
July, you gave the most uplifting prayer that I needed to keep me going. Before I felt like something was missing and you help me find it. Taking a trip to clear my head was something I needed, my family and blessings. May your beautiful sole rest at ease Grandmother, no more pain and discomfort. Love, - Roger Falkner III Grandmother, you never gave up and you’ve taught me to never give up on myself! No matter how hard times get, you told me “We got this!”. I can’t wait to make you happy and finish what you always told me to focus on. Forever MY Grandmother, you’re always going to be in my heart ... Until we meet again. I Love You - Tashianna The last conversation we had, Aunt Betty said, “everybody has complaints. This was my BEST year!! I attended my Brother’s 80th birthday! This was my BEST birthday! Before Christmas I have my gift and I’m using it”. I love y’all so much. Thank you for ALWAYS thinking about me. – Sylvia and Family My family and I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Betty J Spikes-Falkner. Her children and grandchildren whom she loved completely and unconditionally will mourn her passing and miss her physical presence for the rest of their lives. I understand how it feels to miss a loving, caring Christian Mother. Betty has passed on her legacy of faith and love for the Lord like so many Mothers before her. She loved the Lord and the Lord loved her. Take great comfort in the fact that Betty has earned her rest and is at peace. Betty and I grew up in St. John Baptist Church where we met attending Sunday School. We were members of the Junior Usher Board and sang in the Youth Choir. We attended Harvey High School from grade seven through graduation and shared birthdays in the month of June. Her birthday was on the 5th and mine on the 9th. We shared giggles and talked about our dreams and tried to imagine our lives as adults. As the years passed our everyday lives took different paths, but we managed to stay in touch off and on over the years as we raised our families and met the challenges life offered. The last time I saw Betty was in September of 2020. We were in the parking lot of New Hope Baptist Church during a bazar and celebrating her brother Willie’s 80th birthday. We talked about getting together after the COVID-19 pandemic. I was deeply saddened when her daughter Kelly called to say her Mom was in the hospital and not expected to make it. I prayed God’s will and felt a true loss when I received a call Betty had passed. It has been an honor and blessing knowing Betty Jean Spikes-Falkner all these years. She was a kind, generous, and strong woman. I loved her and she loved me. – Verna R. Harris-Greer Mother Falkner, You were a delightful woman with a lovable spirit. You were always so soft spoken in such an elegant way. You will undoubtedly be missed. Heaven has gained an Angel. -Karyn Gant Those we love Don’t Go Away. They walk beside us every day. UNSEEN, UNHEARD, But ALWAYS HERE. STILL loved STILL missed AND very dear. You are forever in our hearts. -I love you always, love Pamela Falkner I have so many memories of Aunt Betty that if I tried to share them all, it would take all day. What I will say is, I feel very blessed to have known Aunt Betty as my best friend’s Mom, a friend, an Aunt and a guru. I think it’s important to have people in our lives that we can learn from. Aunt Betty was always willing to share her knowledge if you were willing to learn. – Canisha Johnson Dear Aunt Betty, I’m not sure why I’m at a loss for words, you prepared everyone for this day. You always said, “get right with God, find a church home and in all your travels take God with you and pray, he’ll be there!” Thanks for the Bible verses, special birthday song and prayers, you will be sorely missed. -With Love Tony Johnson Aunt Betty... Just a few words about a wonderful, informative individual - if we needed information – call, Aunt Betty, if we needed a phone number call Aunt Betty, she was a wealth of information for us for many many years. Nancy and my first trip to Disney in Florida was with Aunt Betty, and her young children. We drove forever but had a great time while staying in a house with Jacuzzi in the back yard. She was my wedding coordinator in 1988 -she gave me great advice for planning what I needed to do...write everything down and keep William informed of the plans...
When my church was honoring me on my birthday, Aunt Betty had unknowing to me, coordinated with Sister Tina, and had a Proclamation written on my behalf which was a great surprise! So many other things to say, but I will close with we will miss the “Happy Birthday Song.” Thank you, Aunt Betty, for your contribution in the life of your sister’s children; -Greg, Debbie, Judy, Nancy, Willie, Patty, and Rodney Love you Debra Gibson Stallworth Betty, You have always been a part of our family and you’ve held a special place in our heart Our love for you has been there right from the very start Although circumstances in life may have brought about a change One thing that was consistent was our love for you because it has always remained the same We will miss your beautiful smile, it’s one that we all adore It saddens us to have to face the fact that we won’t see it anymore We are grateful that all of your pain and sorrow has now ceased Although we will miss you dearly, we thank God that you are now at peace The life that you lived, oh what a great test You fought a tremendous fight, so now take your well deserved rest We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye before you took your flight But it gives us comfort to know that one day we will surely reunite The next time we see you, we won’t have to worry about saying goodbye For when we meet again it will be in eternity and none of us will ever, ever die We love you and we will miss you. - Lula, Doris, Armenia, Fred & The Entire Falkner Family To my beautiful Aunt Betty. I will never forget your smile, your faith, and your professionalism always, even when no one was around. You’ve always had a way of making me feel like everything would be fine. Your optimism on life was amazing. I think of 1989, when I got married. Aunt Betty said Chrissy, I am going to buy your wedding cake. I was so happy because Aunt Betty had great taste. So, I knew my wedding cake would be beautiful, and it was. Incidentally, the cake did not make it to the church on time. Aunt Betty came to the rescue. She said Chrissy, it’s ok. We will have cake and ice cream at the house. We will take pictures there and everything will be fine. In the end, it was beautiful. Just like Aunt Betty said. One year later, when my mother died and my daughter was born two days later, Aunt Betty came to the rescue once again. She could not be there personally but made sure to send Kelly and Roger with a beautiful outfit for my daughter Love. Aunt Betty said Love must have a nice outfit to come home in from the hospital. She always thought of others and would always let me know everything would be ok. Aunt Betty, I want you to know that as a family, we will be fine. We will hold on to our faith, our love for each other and our professionalism... ha ha ha ha. Now that you have shed your body of this world, I hope you dance my beautiful Aunt Betty. – Love, Christine Henderson My Heart, My Love... Aunt Betty, There are not enough words that can truly express or comprehend how much you mean to me or the Love I have for you. You have ALWAYS held a special place in my heart and now a void fills it. I will never forget your beauty, wisdom, and most importantly the lessons you taught me whenever we were together. Whether it was teaching my mom how to tie a bow, teaching me about sports, sending birthday balloons school in my favorite colors (orange and purple), what a charcuterie board was, your favorite lipstick, painting Bella’s nails (which she still talks about) what true Love really is...and the list goes on and on. Birthdays will never be the same as our family of 6 would come to expect a phone call or message from you ALWAYS singing to us. I am hurt, sad, angry and many other emotions I can’t make sense of, but one thing for sure I will forever cherish YOU and all the memories we had. – Love Always-me-Ticel Ms. Betty Falkner Thank you for recognizing the pain behind the mask I wore in my first marriage. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a Christian Woman of class, eloquence, grace, and strength. Thank you for being my second Mom. Love you Always, -Amanda Miller-Lankford Aunt Betty, I will miss our daily phone time, and the shows that we watched while on the phone together or calling each other during the commercials, shows like Rizzoli & Isles, Housewives Reunions, and the last show you reminded me to watch...The Sound of Music. Also, all the information that you would tell me about that you saw on FOX 8 News. You were my encyclopedia... Thank you Love you! - Melinda Johnson
“Her Journey’s Just Begun” By Ellen Brenneman Don’t think of her as gone away, her journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets, this earth is only one. Just think of her as resting, from the sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort, where there are no days or years. Think how she must be wishing, that we could know today, how nothing but our sadness, can really pass away. And think of her as living, in the hearts of those she touched, for nothing loved is ever lost and she was loved so much. – With Sympathy the Goldsmiths: Terrence, Felecia, and Ezrom and Louise Williams I would like to share my very first and favorite memories of Aunt Betty: Cousin Roger’s birthday party on Jefferson St.!! It was THE first TV BDay Party I ever saw! I was excited! I felt as if I was on Bewitched! HAHAHA Kelly had on a dress and I almost spilled my juice on her, but Aunt Betty caught my glass exactly right! I still do up my kiddos Birthday to this date. When we were kids growing up in D’Ville, we had the trimline phone and boy did we use that bad boy. When Momma wasn’t on it with her sisters, Aunt Hattie & Aunt Shirley; we would call female friends we met at church or at my sister’s softball tournaments and back then you had to call Ma’Bell and ask for a Cleveland line or to call Ashtabula or Aunt Juanita & Albert &’nem, because you know that’s how you had to do it back then, I digress, we heard a familiar voice as we asked for an outside line that said... “Oh no you will not like an outside line Rodney? Willie? I’d say, “Aunt Betty?????” She’d say, “Did you ask your mom, Baby Boy?” Of course, I hadn’t. She’d say, “This is not a toy Baby boy it can cost ya mom & dad a lot of many, be sure to ask next time... ok??? Hang up now, love you BYE.” It was SOOO COOL! I would call to get her and ask if I can have a treat if I was home alone from School. She had THE BEST PHONE VOICE AND IN PERSON. AND MY KIDS SAID, WHEN WE VISITED THIS YEAR, HOW SHE WAS SO WISE AND SPOKE SO MAGICALLY. And guess who was there when I was forced to get some new immune booster shot? Yup Aunt Betty, I would NOT have gotten it if she weren’t there! If she trusted it; I trusted it! After all, she WAS the Diahann Carroll of the fam; SHE SPOKE SOFTLY WITH AUTHORITY, KINDNESS, & AUNT BETTY STAYED SHARP, POISED & ELEGANT! Aunt Betty was THE primo organizer!! I was so blessed when she organized my wedding February 14th, 1992, she had it all figured out!!! Mom and Aunt Betty were crazy about Baseball!! One year when I was in little league (I was Pitcher and 1st Baseman) they watched a game and struck out cats left, and right & they cheered “GO BABY BOY!!” I went up to bat (I never struck out at the bat) but I WAS NOT FAST like Willie, so when I went to steal a base I heard mom and aunt Betty screaming, “NO NO NO NOOOOO”, in a panic! HAHAHA Well, I knew how slow I was but also how hard cats threw! Long story shorter, I stole 2 bases in that round at bat: as MY WHOLE TEAM AND THE 3rd BASE COACH NOOOOO! – Love, Rodney “Baby Boy” Gibson Aunt Betty Aunt Betty - you were extremely special to us and we will miss your caring and warm spirit. we were truly blessed to have you in our lives. We admire you and will always love you... (The children of your brother Mack Spikes Sr. Kay, Mack Jr, Tony, Sylvia, Tracy, Jesse, Troy Michael & Michelle” (James) A.- Always there U.- Unconditional love N.-Never judging T.- Totally loving” Aunt Betty, You always told me to be thankful in all things. When life is good and bad. When life is hard, and nothing seems to go right. Right now, I find it hard to have a spirit of gratitude, but God knows best, and I know that is what you would want. I will always remember our talks and the wisdom you imparted on me. I remember praying for you on the phone the last time we talked. I will never forget that. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Love Always, Tishani Although we only knew Mother Betty Falkner for a short time, her jovial spirit, her commanding presence, and her love for the Lord shined through during every interaction. Her Life, Her Love and Her Legacy will never be forgotten. Most of all her love for the Lord has left a lasting expression and an example we can all follow. - Pastor Travis C. & First Lady Sharlyna McQueen Betty my friend, You were such a great beautiful spirit of a person. Oh, how I will miss the countless hours we would talk on the phone; you could tell me just about anything about everything and you would be correct, we had a great spiritual relationship. You taught me so much in my old age, and I appreciate it. I have cards that I had planned to send to you, as always, but they won’t get sent now, it breaks my heart that I won’t get to hear your voice anymore after four and half years. You always were there to help me if I needed some type of document or information; you made sure I had it. You were a person that didn’t talk about your illness let alone, let it stop you from doing what you needed to do. Betty, you came here with a good spirit and you left here with a good spirit. I’m going to miss our talks for sure you were one classy woman. – talk to you - Love, Henry Williams (Ft. Wayne, Indiana)
Pallbearers Nephews
Honorary Pallbearers Roger Falkner, Jr. Jason A. Falkner Verlin J. Williams, II Kourtney M. Falkner Roger Falkner, III Verlin G. Williams, III Zachary R. Falkner Willie A. Spikes, Jr.
Acknowledgements The Spikes-Falkner family acknowledges with deepest gratitude the outpouring of love, prayers and support received from everyone. Your expressions of sympathy rendered through cards, telephone calls, emails, texts messages, visits and other acts of kindness are great sources of comfort and strength. May your lives be filled with God’s peace and love. Be Well and Stay Safe. - Betty Jean Spikes-Falkner Family
Brunner Funeral Home & Cremation Center Arrangements Entrusted To:
8466 Mentor Avenue Mentor, Ohio 44060 Brian P. Deitrick, Funeral Director