Betty Ocker

On January, 1, 2014 of Lanham, MD. She is survived by her loving husband Raymond "Jack" Ocker; brothers, Joe (wife Loretta), Jim and Bob Skocich; sisters, Mary (husband Steve) Cayton, Barb Meek, Deb (husband Terry) Dosey; grandchild, Steven King and wife Chrissy; great grandchildren, Sophia and Callie. She was preceded in death by James H., James H. Jr. and Debbie King. The family will receive friends at Gasch's Funeral Home, P.A., 4739 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD on Saturday, January 4 from 6 to 8 pm and Sunday, January 5 from 12 to 2 pm with a service to follow the visitation. In lieu of flowers, Betty's request was that donations be made to Make A Wish Foundation. Interment Private.

Oldest of 8 children born in Conway PA. There were 4 brothers, Skip, Joe, Jimmy and Bobby, and 3 sisters, MaryAlice, Barb and Deb. She relocated to MD around the age of 18 and lived here with the Kearns family in Landover. Phil Sr., wife Virginia, Phil Jr. and Shirley. Her siblings referred to her as "the Queen" or "Queenie". A title she took very seriously, and it allowed her to get away with being flashy and enjoying wearing a lot of "bling". This was a lady who loved to shop.

She first married James King and had two children with him, James, Jr. and Deborah. Debbie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 1971 and passed away at the age of 13. Her husband, Jimmy, died from heart surgery in 1976 and then tragically her son, "Little Jimmy", was killed in 1979 at the age of 22 in a fiery automobile crash.

She married Jack Ocker in 1977 and their relationship was "tumultuous" to say the least in the beginning years as they had many obstacles to overcome starting a new marriage with lots of pain and strife in their past. Not only had Betty lost her husband and only daughter but Jack had buried a son from an auto accident and then lost another son from an auto accident after he and Betty were married. So during the early years of their marriage they had to deal with the pain of their past and the pain of the present. Both Little Jimmy and Jack's younger son John died during the first few years of their marriage. Most marriages don't survive that kind of loss and heartache. However they did surprise everyone they know and would have been married 37 years this May. Betty worked most of her life as a retail clerk, first with Grand Union and then later Shoppers Food Warehouse. She loved her job mostly because she loved people. Most the the time she worked the customer service desk. She always had great stories to tell about her experiences there.

Betty was so outgoing she could make a friend on the moon! Anywhere she went, whether it was a store, the hospital, a party or no matter where - she would be on a first name basis with everyone within minutes. She was a good listener and you could go to her with any problem and she would know just what to say despite all the trials and tribulations in her own life. As "queenie" most of us allowed her to get away with when telling us harsh truths that most most of us could not get away with. Many of her friends affectionly called her "Mom". She was a source of inspiration and knowledge.

Betty did not get her driver's license until she was in her md forties. She had no sense of direction, she finally got brave enough to drive to her sister MaryAlice's, she was determined to leave before dark so she wouldn't get lost. After going over the directions to go home, MaryAlice got a call about 30 minutes later stating that she was lost and to come and get her. So MaryAlice said "Okay, Betty. Tell me where you are and I'll come get you." Betty answered, "I'm on Baldwin Drive" to which MaryAlice answered "You can't on Baldwin Drive, because I live on Baldwin Drive!" She infacticly stated I'm on Baldwin Drive I tell, just come get me!

After the tragedy of her son's death, she learned she was a Grandmother., which brought some joy back into her life. Steven, her grandson, became a cherished part of her life. Then he married Chrissy and gave her beautiful twin great granddaughters, Callie and Sophia. Callie and Sophia were her major focus in the last years of her life. When they were around they made her forget any pain or sorrow she may have had in her life.