Bessie Louise Whitten, daughter of Eleanor Craig Emrick and Verl Roy Emrick, Sr. was born in Opelika, Alabama on August 9, 1945 and grew up at Sunny Slope in Auburn, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn High School and attended Auburn University. She was married to Victor M. Yellen from 1968 to 1976 and to David O. Whitten from 1987 until her death on July 2, 2016. She supervised the Manuscript Preparation Center in the College of Business at Auburn University until her retirement in 2005. She co-authored and co-edited, with David Whitten, four books. No funeral, no memorials, no flowers, please. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.