Mary Lucille Pratt Whatley was born on July 14, 1915 to Richard B. Pratt and Martha Jane Gardner Pratt at Tarrant, TX. She had 5 brothers and 4 sisters. The last of her siblings, she passed from this life to be with her Savior on June 23, 2010. Her age 95 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben W. Whatley; 5 brothers; 4 sisters; great-granddaughter, Brandi Frazier; grandson, R.W. Whatley III and his wife, RhodaWhatley, and their son, Cody Whatley, and one son-in-law, Sidney Shell.
Survivors include children, Frances Shell, Lynda Frazier and husband, Lester, Warren Whatley, Jr. and wife, Barbara, Dorothy Daniel and husband, Anthony, Richard Whatley and wife, Glenda, and Charles Whatley and wife, Lanell. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and their spouses, 38 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and many friends.
Reuben and Lucille were married on June 5, 1932 in Marrietta, OK and celebrated 60 years of marriage before his death in 1993. They lived in Austwell, TX until 1942 at which time they purchased a farm in Calhoun County.
She was an active member of First United Methodist Church as well as the Long Mott School PTA, Green Lake Home Demonstration Club, Calhoun Co. Quilt Guild, and was an avid Bridge and Canasta player.
An accomplished seamstress and a master quilter, she won a rosette at the Houston Stock Show with one of her quilts. As well as raising six children, she and her great friends, Rubye Sikes and Clara Morris ran catering businesses in which they arranged wedding receptions, baked wedding and birthday cakes for many of the local people. She was an amazing lady. At 64 she marched from Port Lavaca to Green Lake in protest of a proposed toxic waste well being planned near the Victoria Barge Canal.
She was always there for her family and friends. Always willing to share her expertise with friends and family, causing many people to start cooking and quilting with her assistance. She will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 24, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 25, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Carl Westbrook officiating.
Pallbearers will be the grandsons, Michael, Charles and Wayne Shell, Lynn, Lloyd and Lorne Frazier, Stephen Whatley, Tony Daniel and Tyler Whatley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dan Voss, Steven Dierschke, Jeffrey Pote, Mark Davis, Richard Cumby and Clay Sanders.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Heritage Center of Calhoun Co. Senior Citizens Asso., or the charity of ones choice.
Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 361-552-2988.