Obituary for Karen Whiles

Ponca City Now - July 8, 2020 3:42 pm

Karen Whiles

November 28, 1951 – July 6, 2020

Karen Sue Mackey Whiles, age 68, long time resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away Monday, July 6, 2020 at her home.

A ceremony to celebrate Sue’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, July 13, 2020 at the Northeast Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Melton officiating. Following the ceremony, Sue will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca. Honorary casket bearers will be her 23 grandchildren. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Sue was born on November 28, 1951 to Robert F. Mackey and Corrine P. Cook Mackey in Ponca City. She was raised in Ponca City, graduating from PO-HI in 1970. After high school, Sue started working at Sonic, then Dillons Grocery Store, later K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Mazzio’s, Oklahoma Natural Gas, and then Braums. While she was working at ONG, she met Russell Dean Whiles. They were married on April 30, 1983 at the First United Methodist Church in Ponca City. The two of them were nearly inseparable and they set out to make their own way as trade show vendors, which also allowed them to travel with one another. For the last twelve years, she has been retired and enjoying the country life with her beloved husband. In her younger days, Sue enjoyed hiking at Kaw Lake, arrowhead hunting and going on wild adventures with Russell, including one daring trip where they went to a NASCAR track and she did three laps at 165mph. Sue’s zest for life was unquenchable and she had a great time when she was able. As well, Sue was a member of the Lady Jaycees and a longtime member of Northeast Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband Russell of the home, children: Tina Chase and husband Andy of West Monroe, LA, Renee’ Turner of Lowell, AR, Jeremy Whiles and wife Laura of Owasso, OK, daughter in law Christy Whiles of Ponca City, son in law Donnie McKinney and wife Liz of Mountainburg, AR, sister Judy Ann Smith and husband Dennis of Ponca City, sister in law Sharon Jones and husband Al of Edmond, OK, 23 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and one more on the way.

Sue was preceded in death by her mother Corrine Mackey, son Steven Whiles, and daughter Jennifer McKinney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org .

Source: Trout Funeral Home