Cecil A. Whitley

Mrs. Whitley was born near Richards, TX in Montgomery County on September 11, 1924, to Milton Whatley and Eva Lora Montgomery Whatley. She attended public school and Union Grove Baptist Church in Richards, Texas. Cecil married the love of her life, Floyd M. Whitley on June 30, 1962. Celebrating 48 years, they enjoyed an especially loving and devoted marriage. She was involved in education for most of her life.

Mrs. Whitley graduated from Sam Houston University in 1944 with a B.A. in education.

and received her Master’s in 1949 from Texas Women’s University. From 1944-1951

she taught Homemaking at Conroe High School; she taught second grade at Hohl Elementary from 1951-1959 and from 1959-1972 she was principal of Eugene Field Elementary School. In her last position with H.I.S.D. she was principal of Durham Elementary from 1971 until her retirement in 1982. She attained Life Membership in State and National PTA. In 1979 the parents at Durham formed the “Cecil Whitley Scholarship” in her honor. For 26 years this scholarship contributed well over $100,000.00 for the college education of graduates of Durham Elementary.

Cecil filled her life with many activities in addition to her career in education.

Living in Shepherd Park Plaza since 1968, she was instrumental in inaugurating the Shepherd Park Plaza Civic Club where she was active in the Citizen’s Patrol and served on the board. Cecil is a member of Houston Retired Teacher’s Association, and Alpha Delta Kappa - Alpha Nu Chapter Sorority. She was a 40-year member of Garden Oaks Baptist Church.

After retirement Cecil and many of her teachers formed a luncheon group named The Dolls. (Durham Old Ladies Luncheon Society!). This group was comprised of Gloria Albright, Neva Berlocher (deceased), Carolyn Belk, Nelda Castle, Joyce Dannenbrink, Elizabeth Dennard, Lewine Foster, Ina Claire Haynes, LaNell Kruse, Nina Lohn, (deceased) and Gladys Young. They carried out a tradition of getting together for lunch and trips around the state for 28 years. These friends were a great part of Cecil’s loving support group throughout her retirement and during her illness.

Cecil’s great joy was being with Floyd and they enjoyed many adventures together. He was the only person for which she would bend a rule. Together, they collected museum quality Carnival Glass for over 40 years. They were active members in eight different state and national Carnival Glass Clubs and traveled the U.S. attending Carnival Glass conventions presenting programs about the history of their collection. Cecil authored a book on Carnival Glass Tumblers and had a collection of over 800 individual tumblers. Together they were known as Mr. and Mrs. Carnival Glass.

Cecil, a devoted Christian, loved God and her family. She always conducted herself with elegance, grace and dignity, but inside beat the heart of a mischievous, lively, fun loving, and funny woman. She thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Floyd and close friends to various parts of the world. Cecil loved flying. Just mention helicopter, jet, or float plane and she’d be ready to go. She was a dedicated educator who loved to teach and mentor not only her students but also the teachers who worked for her. She enjoyed lunching with her many groups of friends who loved her dearly and she was a generous and loyal friend to all of them. If she loved you, she loved you all the way and would do anything for you. She had a wry sense of humor and could make you laugh out loud at her quips and observations. Cecil’s generosity was exemplified by her giving to those in need. Not only scholarships, but also providing full college educations for several people. A devoted tither, she also donated additional funds to Garden Oaks Baptist and Union Grove Baptist Church in Richards, TX for special building projects and more.

Cecil touched the lives of so many through her careful nurturing of the children who had the good fortune to attend her schools. She provided them not only an education but also wisdom and guidance. Cecil spent her last days at The Hallmark Nursing Home where she received loving care by the staff, and they marveled at the large numbers of friends and family and former students that came everyday during the six months she was there. The friendships Cecil acquired over the years were enduring because of her deep love and loyalty. She leaves a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her and will be greatly missed but will live on in our hearts and memories.

Cecil is preceded in death by her parents, Milton Whatley and Eva Lora Montgomery Whatley. She is survived by her loving husband, Floyd, step-son Thomas Whitley and his wife Jeannie, their children Elizabeth her husband Danny Sullivan, Carla and her husband Jace Chiles; step-grandchildren Ryan and Keeley Sullivan and David Chiles. Also survived by Charles and Mary Whatley, Dr. J. Montgomery and wife Alma, Andy Bob and Judy Pearl; their children Kristin, Kathryn and Kenneth Pearl, Robin and Larry Youngblood and Windi and Anna Youngblood and Frances Manning.

A viewing and visitation will be held at Pat H. Foley Funeral Home on Thursday, August 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be conducted at Garden Oaks Baptist Church, 3206 N. Shepherd Dr. on Friday, August 13th at 10:00 a.m. by Pastor Mark Poe of Second Baptist Church and Pastor Jim Daniels of Garden Oaks Baptist Church with graveside services to be conducted by Pastor Bob Lynch from Union Grove Baptist Church at the Pool Cemetery, 24380 FM 149, Richards, TX 77873 at 2:00 p.m.

Pallbearers: Herb Foster, George Ross, John Covington, Jack Key, Al Oncken, Bill Young. Honorary Pallbearers: Charles Whatley, Dr. J. Montgomery, and The Dolls.

Memorial donations may be made in Cecil’s name to Pool Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 355, Richards, TX 77873.