Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Whitacre, 68, of Jacksonville, IL, died Monday morning, July 22, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving children.

She was born July 24, 1955, to Dr. Thomas L. and Dorothy Jeanne (Adams) Wilson in Jacksonville. In 1984, Beth married Ronald "Ron" Whitacre and they later divorced.

Beth is survived by her children, Bethany (Ivan Shafer) Whitacre of Jacksonville and Ronnie (Brooke) Whitacre of Dodge City, KS; grandchildren, Chloe Boyd-Freeman, Jace and Gage Whitacre, and Nathan, Theodore, Stella, and Annabeth Shafer; brothers, Dr. Charles (Dr. Margaret) Wilson of Jacksonville; Thomas L. Jr. (Sandra) Wilson of Brownsville, TX; John (Margaret) Wilson of Hinckley; sister, Jennifer Wilson of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Beth graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1973 and Illinois College in 1978, with a degree in Biology. She then attended graduate classes at SIU Carbondale and later graduated from Medical University of South Carolina with a degree in Pharmacy. She worked at Long's Pharmacy, Medicap Pharmacy, R & D Pharmacy, and Shopko Pharmacy, all in Jacksonville, as a Registered Pharmacist.

Beth loved animals, especially horses, from a very young age. While growing up, her family raised Tennessee Walking Horses. She enjoyed showing her horses at shows across central Illinois and at the state fair. She always had a gentle way with animals and also a gift for listening to anybody who came through her home so that they felt both seen and heard. If it was broken, she would try to fix it. She was a very involved mother, volunteering in her children's classrooms and ferrying her children to extracurricular activities, including riding lessons and soccer practice. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. The family will meet friends prior to the service from 1 – 3 PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF). The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com.