Hattie Arenthia West, 82

SEAFORD - Hattie Arenthia West of Seaford died Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, in her home. She was 82.

She was born Jan. 9, 1925, in Finchville, Md., to the late Eva (Robinson) Palmer and Frank Ricketts. However, she was raised by her mother's husband, Dennard Palmer.

On Sept. 12, 1950, she united in holy matrimony with Henry Allen West. To this union 11 children were born. She was a devoted wife and mother.

She was educated by the Seaford School District. Hattie was employed for 28 years as a school bus driver for William Fountain and Russell Joseph. Also, she worked for John N. Wright Cannery, Genesis Nursing Home and Seaford Head Start.

Joyfully, she volunteered for many years at the Associated Charities helping needy families in the community. Also, she enjoyed being apart of the CBS Club.

Hattie is most known for frequenting yard sales and cooking.

She was infamous for her chicken and dumplings. In addition, she loved reading her bible and watching "Jeopardy." Her favorite song was "Amazing Grace." She was loved by everyone. She was a member of Mount Calvary African Methodist Church, Concord, where the current pastor is the Rev. Idola J. Batson. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior many years ago at the Clarence Street Church of God, Seaford. In her later years, she attended Lighthouse Church of God where the pastor is the Rev. Calvin Abbott.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Allen West; her brothers, Frank Robinson, Milton Palmer, Guy Palmer, Freddie Ricketts, Calvin Ricketts, Carl Ricketts and Thomas Ricketts; her sisters, Bernice Cannon and Peggy Palmer-Murray; her son, Tyronne West; her granddaughter, Jacqueline Briggs-Johnson; her sisters-in-law, Marie Palmer, Louise Palmer and Eva Robinson; and her brothers-in-law, Alfred Cannon and Colen White.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Gladys and William Briggs, Orlando and Gloria Palmer, Diane and Alfred Drayton, Myron West, Martin and Vanee West, William and Maria West, Correne and Linwood Ross, Forrest West, Josephine and Layton Drayton, Joanne and Wayne West, John Redwine, Brenda Briggs and Drexel Bolden, Kim West and Brett Cannon, all of Seaford and Cornelius and Diane West of Columbia, Md., and Vernon and Esther Roberts of Bridgeville; her uncle, Namon Palmer of Federalsburg, Md.; her sisters and brothers and their spouses, Bishop Catherine and Golden Camper of Laurel, Mary Frances Ricketts, Joseph and Virginia Palmer of Laurel, Henry and Inez Palmer of Seaford, Essie and James Greene, Samuel Palmer of Salisbury, Md., Rachel and Calvin Abbott and Marguerite White of Seaford; her sisters-in-law and a spouse, Ruth and William Palmer and Mildred West of Seaford; a special son-in-law, Alvin Cook; an adopted daughter, Alicia Cephas; 52 grandchildren; 87 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday in Mount Calvary A.M.E. Church, Concord.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in the Bishop Catherine A. Camper Complex, U.S. 9, Laurel, past Bargain Bill's Flea Market, where friends may call two hours earlier.

Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Hurlock, Md.