Loyal H. Whatley

Marietta Monitor

December 17, 2004, page 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for Loyal H. Whatley, 73, of Marietta, were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 14, in the Enville Community Church, with the Rev. Don Keizor officiating, assisted by the Rev. Angela Harrison.

Mr. Whatley was born March 16, 1931, at Grady, the son of Elbert Seth and Union America Crase Whatley. He died Saturday, December 11, 2004, in Denton Regional Hospital, Denton, Texas.

He grew up in the Grady/Orr/Ringling area and moved to Marietta in 1961 to make his home. He and Louise Jones were married January 29, 1955, in McAlester. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, Mr. Whatley served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 and was stationed in Greenland. As a result of his service, Mr. Whatley was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and also the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Whatley was employed as a truck driver with the Hudson-Houston Lumber Company in Ringling, and later as a truck driver and store manager with Waples-Painter Lumber Company in Marietta, which later was Higgins Lumber Company. He retired from Red River Valley Rural Electric Association in Marietta after 14 years as a warehouseman and meter reader. His hobbies included playing dominoes, fishing, going to flea markets and being with family and friends. He was of the Pentecostal faith.

Survivors include his wife, Louise Whatley of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Deleta Gayle and Terry Minyard of Marietta; two brothers, Lonnie Whatley of Chickasha and Eugene Whatley of Wichita Falls, Texas; a sister, Syble Ashley of Lone Grove; three grandchildren, Nikki and Shawn Mote, Cody Minyard and Toby Ringwald; and a great-granddaughter, Taylor Koonce.

Mr. Whatley was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Loyd D. Whatley on July 18, 1999 and Gary D. Whatley on December 12, 1999; four brothers and three sisters.

Pallbearers were his nephews. Honorary pallbearers were his co-workers at the Red River Valley REA and friends at the Sanders Senior Citizens Center.

Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery, Marietta, under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.