Rockdale Reporter, Thur., 21 June 2007

Emma Dorothy Whiteley passed away at the age of 93 on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at Richards Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family.

Emma (MawMaw as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren) was born on December 12, 1913 to Gustav Herman Lorenz and Martha Selma Vogel at the Vogel-Lorenz mine site east of Rockdale. She was the tenth of twelve children. Her parents were German immigrants, and Emma was very proud of her German heritage.

Hard work and thriftiness was the rule as a child as well as in adulthood. Emma loved to tell stories of her youth, her parents and her grandparents, Hermann and Wilhelmina Vogel, who were early pioneers of the Rockdale area. She was devoted to her parents and to her own family.

Emma attended Bethlehem Elementary School near Rockdale and then graduated from Rockdale High School in 1933.

She married Otto C. Whiteley on October 31, 1935. They lived in Cameron where Otto worked for the Cameron Candy Company.

In January 1937, they bought a farm in the Minerva community where they lived the rest of their lives and were known for producing watermelons, tomatoes and other vegetables.

Otto and Emma were long time members of Mount Zion Baptist Church near Minerva where Emma taught Sunday School up until her final illness. Emma was faithful to her Lord and to her church. Many times, she and Otto would provide struggling young preachers from Baylor University with vegetables, canned and baked goods to last through the week until they came back to preach the next Sunday.

Emma was a wonderful cook. Her family will always remember the delicious Sunday dinners after church. Homemade breads, cakes and cookies were enjoyed by those who ate at her bountifully set table. She was also an excellent seamstress. Following the lean years of the Great Depression, she would fashion for her daughters the most beautiful dresses from feed sacks and later from fabric purchased at Winn's Store in Rockdale.

After her children were grown, she worked over eleven years at the Rockdale Elementary School Cafeteria. Many lasting friendships were formed with her co-workers as well as with many students who passed through the lunchroom line each day.

In her 93rd year, she continued to be actively involved with her family's activities, her church work and community events with great energy and enthusiasm.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Otto; granddaughters, Jeannette Whiteley and Vicki Whiteley Hobbs; and grandson, Mark Shane Robinson.

She is survived by five children: Patricia McKee and husband Gene of Rockdale; Michael Scott Whiteley and wife Alice of Rockdale; Clifford Whiteley and wife Diane of Cameron; Diana Sousares and husband Jimmy of College Station; and Calvin and wife Dianne of Milano. Twelve grandchildren: Jud Robinson, Daniel Robinson, Michael Robinson, Kevin Robinson, Jeff Whiteley, Larry Whiteley, Laura Templeton, Luke Whiteley, Bobby Jenkins, Dyan Shelander, Molly Graham and Jayla Mohr. Sixteen great-grandchildren: Shay Robinson, Zachary Robinson, Whitney Robinson, Logan Robinson, Cody Robinson, Brandon Robinson, Devon Smith, Michael Robinson, II, Sarah Jane Robinson, Colleen Robinson, M'Lynn Hobbs, Lauren Threadgill, Preston Templeton, Brandon Jenkins, Andrew Jenkins and Claire Jenkins. Emma is also survived by her sister, Clara Hitchcock, of Cedar Creek.

Sincere appreciation goes to the nursing staff at Richards Memorial Hospital for the excellent care given to Emma during her final illness.

Services were held on June 13, 2007 at the Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Reverend Luther Shelander officiating. Graveside services and burial were at the Minerva Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers were her grandsons Jud Robinson, Daniel Robinson, Michael Robinson, Kevin Robinson, Jeff Whiteley, Larry Whiteley, Bobby Jenkins and Ryan Mohr.

Memorial donations may be made to the Minerva Cemetery Association c/o Eudie Heimbrough, 730 CR 232 Loop, Rockdale, Texas 76567.