The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge announces funeral services for Mrs. Betty McClure Whitis, age 72, of Epworth, GA who passed away on Tuesday January 1, 2008 at her home following an extended illness. Born in Polk County, TN she was the daughter of the late Dent and Alma Christy Hughes. She retired from Epworth Elementary as a teacher's aid. Mrs. Whitis was a member of the Kingtown Baptist Church and had been a poll worker for the Flinthill voting district. She was preceded in death by two husbands; Gene H. McClure and James R. Whitis. Survivors include three sons; Robert McClure and fiance Joyce Rude of Epworth, Christy and Karen McClure of Dial, GA and Terry McClure and fiance Kathy Westmoreland of McCaysville; sisters and brother in law, Reba and William O. Campbell of Chattanooga, TN, Marilyn and the late Warren Pack of Epworth, GA and Marjorie and the late Winford Clonts of Baltimore, MD; grandchildren, Gene McClure, Brandy Clotfelter, Maggie Wright, Alexis McClure, Cassandra McClure, Dent McClure and Luke McClure. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday January 3rd, at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Ernest German officiating. Music will be provided by Vernon Adams. Interment will follow in the Copper Ridge Memory Gardens with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: James Pack, Jerry Angel, J. E. Adams, Jack Lockaby, Mark Richards and Joe Kent Cook. The following gentlemen were selected to serve as honorary pallbearers: Leland Weaver, James Hood and James McClure. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6-9 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Whitis may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge in charge of the arrangements.