Greta M. (Tyner) Whitecotton

Greta M. Whitecotton, 87, of Cambria, Illinois, passed away peacefully on December 29th, 2025, at 9:10 a.m., surrounded by her children and grandchildren at the home of her daughter, Rebecca.

Greta was born on September 8, 1938, to William Henry and Demova (Gilkey) Tyner. She married the love of her life, Bobby Ray Whitecotton, on June 2nd, 1956, in Plumfield, Illinois.

Greta grew up in Cambria where she met the love of her life Bobby Ray when she was 16. She spent her early adult years being a homemaker and raising her three children. Later in life you could find Greta at Sam’s Club in Marion, Illinois working as a Food Demonstrator where she never met a stranger, could talk your ear off and made a lot of good friends. During her downtime you could find her and Bob driving through the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge looking for deer, cooking up a new Paula Dean recipe in the kitchen, attending one of her grandkids’ school events, or laughing with loved ones on Relative Street in Cambria where everyone knew your name (and business).

Greta was a member of the Cambria Christian Church, where she left a lot of good memories, family, friends and stories. She never hesitated to tell a stranger about the love of Jesus and always offered a helping hand.

She is survived by her three children: Bruce (Debbie) Whitecotton of Cambria, Rebecca Sanders of Carterville, and Shanna (Darrell) Clutts of Cambria. She was a devoted maw-maw to: Tiffany (James) Shimkus, Ashley (Jeffry) Dixon, Zachary (Ashley) Whitecotton, Emilie (Brian) Carle, and Hunter (Maddie Glodo) Whitecotton. She was deeply loved by her great-grandchildren: Makenna, Jaylie, Isaac, Lyla, Chance, Nora, Kennedy, Amelia, and Audrey. She is also survived by two brothers: Gary (Paula) Tyner of Cambria, and Monty (Monica) Tyner of Carterville; brothers-in-law, Jack Leeper, Joe (Anna) Whitecotton, and Bobby Grissom. She was affectionally known as “Aunt Gret” to numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law, Mark Sanders; brother and sister-in-law, William and Carole Tyner; sisters and brothers-in-law, Roma and Don Modglin, June and Bob Martin, Jolene and Derril Masters; and sisters, Delorse Leeper and Lana Sonier.

The family would like to express their sincerest thanks to Vanessa and Bethany with Hospice of Southern Illinois for their devotion to excellence and their caring nature towards Greta and her loved ones during this most difficult time.

Greta enjoyed life to the fullest but the thing she cherished the most was time spent with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed, always loved and never forgotten by those that know and love her.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 3, 2025, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with the Rev. R.H. Chitwood officiating. Burial will be in Blairsville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

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