Obituary for Frances Whitaker

Frances Whitaker

January 18, 1931 – September 2, 2020

Frances Virginia Whitaker, a true servant of God, was called home by God on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. She was much loved by her family and friends, and will be sorely missed.

Frances was born to Dewey and Bessie (Downs) Moody on January 18, 1931 in Washunga, Ok. As a young woman, she moved to Ponca City and worked at the Crown Drugstore until her marriage. In 1949, she married the love of her life Kenneth Whitaker. They made their home and raised their four children in Ponca City, OK.

Frances had an exceptional gift for loving, caring for and teaching children. Children were drawn to her, and she to them. She raised her children with a love of Jesus, then extended that love and teaching to grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to the children of her family, she also cared for and taught many other children in her church and the community.

Frances had a strong Christian faith, was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ponca for more than 70 years, and had many dear friendships in the church. During most of those years she served as a Sunday School teacher and Bible School teacher. She worked at the First Baptist Daycare for 30 plus years. In these roles Miss Frances touched the lives of hundreds of children across multiple generations, always teaching them about Jesus.

Frances enjoyed sewing, tending her flower garden, and of course spending her time with family and friends.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents Dewey and Bessie Moody, her husband Kenneth Whitaker, her brother Cecil Moody, siblings-in-law Wilma Rezar, Mary Lou Vollman, Robert Whitaker, her son in law Kenneth O’Grady, and grandchildren Veronica (Sullivan) Lincoln and John Sullivan.

She is survived by: her children Virginia Sullivan and husband Tom, Carolyn O’Grady, Dewey Whitaker and wife Janette, Gail Johnson and husband David; grand-children Edward Sullivan and wife Brandi, Angela Rayburn and husband Jeff, Kenny O’Grady and wife Tanya, Sean O’Grady, Daniel Whitaker, Blaine Johnson and wife Donica, great-grandchildren Deven (Sullivan) McCluskey and husband Kyle, Cole Sullivan, Chloe Sullivan, Brianna Callaway, Brittany Martin, Jake Sullivan, Raul Salinas and wife Stormie, Javier Salinas, Cody Salinas and wife Jasmine, Cameron Lincoln-Smith and husband Josh, Chelsea (Lincoln) Rennie, Landon and Mackenzie Watson and Brenna Johnson, as well as thirteen great-great-grandchildren, siblings Grace Cook, Wynona Jenkins, Margaret Hubler, Iola Lanius, Lucy Brewer and husband Ralph, Edward Moody and wife Alice, Dorothy Shaw and husband Carrol, sister-in-law Carrie Friesenhahn, and many nieces and nephews. She loved all of them dearly.

A Funeral Ceremony will be held at First Baptist Church in Ponca City on Saturday, September 12 at 1:00. Those unable to attend the funeral may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com. Click on the “livestream” or tool bar icon on the top right corner after 12:45 PM. At the families’ request, facemasks are strongly recommended.

Viewing will be at Trout Funeral Home on Friday, September 11, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Frances will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Park, next to her husband Kenneth.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons.

In her last days on this earth she was surrounded by family. At the end, her care was provided by The Journey Home hospice house, with kindness and compassion.

Source: Trout Funeral Home