Theresa J. Wilhite

Very early Thursday morning on July 18, 2024, Theresa Joan Nichols Wilhite, surrendered to the call of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and transitioned from earth to glory.

Theresa, whom they called Tress, was the seventh of eleven children born to John and Estella Welch Nichols on February 24, 1941, in Gould, Arkansas. She was baptized in1950 at the Annual South Arkansas AME conference in Dermott, Arkansas. She served dutifully in several organizations within the AME churches she was affiliated with beginning with St. Peters AME Church McGhee, Arkansas, Mt Pleasant AME Church Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Fort Worth, Texas until her health began to decline. She always LOVED the song Amazing Grace as it was the only thing she remembered from her mother’s funeral when she was of 6 years old.

Theresa, graduated from Desha High School, McGhee, Arkansas in May of 1958 where she served as the class secretary. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree from the Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College, AM&N (now UAPB), Pine Bluff, Arkansas in May of 1963 and completed her Master of Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, May of 1979. She also completed her Masters in Social Work sometime in the late 80’s or early 90’s.

Theresa, worked for several years as a teacher for the Arkansas Department of Education and later worked for over 20 years with the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Throughout her career, she was known for her hard work, dedication, and passion for helping others. She later retired from the Dallas Independent School District in 2003.

Theresa was a devoted mother and held her daughters very close and under watchful eyes. She loved spending time with her brothers and sisters and their families at every chance they had to gather. She was always there for all of them to offer guidance, support, and encouragement, no matter what challenges they faced. She was a phenomenal seamstress and loved LOVED LOVED to dance.

Tress, as they called her, was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by Four daughters, Allison Wilhite Lane (Steven) of Crowley, TX, Terri Earls of Fort Worth, TX, Julia Wilhite of Houston, TX, Joan Gomez-Ghannou of Arlington, TX. Eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Three sisters Dorothy King of Dumas, AR, Barbara Hood, of Lonoke, AR, Claudell Winston of Nashville TN, Isaiah "Buddy" Nichols of Lakewood, CA. She was preceded in death by Mary E. Willis, her aunt who raised her as her daughter, seven brothers, John Nichols, Benjamin Nichols, Elpercy Nichols, Melchia Nichols, Arzell Nichols, Sterling Nichols.