Coral Whitaker

Coral J. Whitaker, age 94, of Clovis died Sunday, October 24, 2010 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis. She was born on October 8, 1916 to Henry and Lottie Relf Horton in Emporia, Kansas.

Coral graduated from Emporia High School in 1934, and married Charles Luther Whitaker on January 6, 1935. They lived in Emporia until 1941 when they moved to New Mexico. Charles transferred to the Pecos Division as a fireman of the Santa Fe Railroad. They lived in Belen, NM until 1947 when Charles was promoted to engineer, and they moved to Clovis where they raised their family. After their three boys were raised, Coral went to Bensons School of Commerce and received a Secretarial degree. She worked as a secretary at Cannon Air Force Base while all three sons were serving in the Vietnam War.

She was a member of Sandia Baptist Church, Daughters of the Nile, Encanto Garden Club, a 25year member of Eastern Star, a 20year member of Womens Bible Class at First United Methodist Church and the Senior Citizens Center. Coral enjoyed reading and communicating on the internet with family and friends.

She is survived by her three sons Lt Col. Gary L. Whitaker ret. of Westminster, CA, Larry D. Teresa Whitaker of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and Dennis D. Shelley Whitaker of Eugene, OR four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one sister.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis with Rev. Dean Turvaville. Memorial contributions can be made to The Shriners Childrens Hospital Fund, 6600 Zuni Place SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.

Arrangements are by SteedTodd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana Blvd., Clovis, NM 88101 5757635541.

Service

Memorial Contributions