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Hester Whitaker Obituary
Visitation will be Tuesday June 9, 2009 from 4 o'clock until 6:30 at Baca's Funeral Chapel. The Memorial service will be Wednesday June 10, 2009 at 1 o'clock at the First Presbyterian Church with Gordon Bowie officiating.
Mrs. Whitaker was born to H.C. Bridges and Julia Fowler Bridges in New Middleton, Tennessee on March 17, 1919. She married Fred W. Whitaker, also a former Deming educator in Kennett, Missouri in 1942. He preceded her in death in 1997. She is survived by daughters, Nancy R. Whitaker of Katy, Texas and Sara Whitaker Martin (Roy Martin) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, including Shirley W. Richey and Charlotte Whitaker, formerly of Deming.
Mrs. Whitaker attended David Lipscomb College and George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Mrs. Whitaker was awarded her Master of Education degree from NMSU in 1965. She began her teaching career in Kennett, Missouri and also taught for 2 years in Covington, Tennessee, and for 32 years in Deming.
Honors received during her distinguished teaching career include Masonic Teacher of the Year, DEA Teacher-Educator of the Year, induction to New Mexico NEA Hall of Fame, and inclusion on the 1988 centennial listing of NMSU College of Education top 100 alumni.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Deming or to a charity of choice.
Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Deming, 811 S. Gold Avenue. Phone: 546-9671.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Hester Whitaker
Brenda Hall - Smith
June 23, 2009
All the Hall family, who have such fond memories of Hester and Fred, would like to send our regards to the Whitaker family. I had visited Ms. Whitaker in Houston with Sally Hossely several years ago, and found her to be her delightful self. She will live on in all the lives she touched in and out of the classroom.
Jewel-Miler Mortensen
June 21, 2009
It's sad to lose a loved one and we too are sad,but very glad that she pased this way. She gave so much more than her share.I too wanted to be a teacher-she made it look so easy.She would stand in front of the class and with out notes etc.answer any thing we asked & more.She talked me into going to colege if for no other reason than to set an example for the "Columbus Kids".I enjoyed "Heredity" and "Genetics"but went into Chemistry .In Mr. Whitaker's class I was drawing a benzene ring and asked if I may borrow his ruler. He said " sure she is in the next room."She was a neat lady and so many of us owe our careers to her.Her interest and encouragement in all her ex-students is what did it. You can inded be very proud of her as we are.
Mary Thomson
June 18, 2009
Dear Nancy and Sara, You may not remember me but I remember your parents. I know what it is like to lose the second parent. I'm sure you are so proud of your mother and her accomplishments. You are always welcome to visit your tennessee cousins. Praying and thinking of you and your families. Mary Evans Thomson, daughter of Bill and Quindal Evans
Rhonda Rolz
June 18, 2009
I am so glad that you chose that picture for the paper, for that is the "Mrs. Whitaker" that I remember. When I saw the picture, a few memories came to the front of my mind along with the feeling in her classroom.
There were two unruly young men (one turned off the incubater and killed the chicks, the other stuck one of the tweezers into the table electrical socket) that could make her so flustered and her sweet, soft, southern voice just never seemed to get angry enough.
And I still remember in her sweet southern drawl, "You know when you step on a buuug and it goes crunchy-crunch? Now that's the exoskeleton." This class was before lunch and I can still remember not being very hungry that day.
She was so incredibly patient which is a true gift to high school students and one could tell that she loved biology. Thank you for sharing your Mom with so many of us. Rhonda Nunn (class of 1977)
Nick Retana
June 17, 2009
Mrs. Whitaker was a very kind woman. Not only was she an exceptional teacher, but she showed a tremendous amount of professionalism toward her students and colleagues. Her husband, Mr. Whitaker, always had a great sense of humor and was devoted to his students. These folks will be missed.
Frances Montes
June 16, 2009
My condolences to all the family, Mrs.
Whitaker was my biology teacher in my
junior year at "DHS" and she was awesome, and made our class time worthwhile, and she will truly be missed. May God bless you and help thur this difficult time .
Leah Pearson
June 15, 2009
I wanted to share with you my thoughts about your parents. My sister and I were very small when we moved next door on Nickel (your parents were retired and unfortunately for them, they were home A LOT!) We would "help" Mr. Whitaker water the grass and the tomatoes in the back yard. To this day, every time I smell a a tomato plant I think of him. Mrs. Whitaker would invite us in (which our mom in turn told us not to bother them) for a little snack! Although I know that being our neighbors was quite a chore at times, we felt blessed to have your parents in our lives. Our parents had wonderful stories about them as teachers. Their patience and wisdom was priceless. We always thought of your mother as a true southern belle. She will forever be in our hearts and prayers.
Bennie Lane
June 13, 2009
Sarah and Nancy,
I remember chatting with you at your uncle's [Dr. Whitaker] graveside service. You said something like "So there really is a Bennie Lane." I owe so very much to both your parents with respect to my education. Your father taught me General Science, Chemistry and Physics. And of course your mother taught me Biology.
When it was time to think about college, my decision to go to CSCE in Greeley was due to their urging. I am forever in their debt for the wonderful science education they gave me, but also the confidence to go 750 miles from Deming to a great college.
When I began to look at graduate schools, both my major professor at Greeley and your parents urged me to attend Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tennessee.
Over the years, any time I was in Deming, one of the first things I did was to go to visit Fred and Hester. It was such a pleasure to be considered a fellow teacher, as well as a former student.
My sincere sympathy to you both and your families.
June 11, 2009
Nancy and Sarah
My condolences to you , your mom was a really classy southern lady, as well as a great teacher. Your neighbor. Tom Pearson DHS '60. Kennesaw Georgia
Jan Guthrie Mathy
June 10, 2009
I remember both your mom and dad. I had drivers ed with your dad - what patience he had! I remember being on I-10 for a practice run and being surrounded by semis - he helped me keep my cool when you know they were trying to get me. Your mom tried to teach me biology. I know it didn't stick but she sure made the class memorable! I'm so sorry for your loss.
Jerry & Mary Richardson
June 10, 2009
Sarah & Nancy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Your mom and dad were our neighbors all
their years in Deming. What wonderful
people they were and I enjoyed growing up around them. I was looking forward
to having your mom for my biology teacher my Soph. year at DHS but she took that year off to give birth to Nancy. I really missed that opportunity to have her as a teacher....
Rick Miner
June 9, 2009
I can't pretend to remember every day in class, but I do recall what a fixture she and Mr. Whitaker were in the Deming community and how comforting her memory is of those times. We were all blessed to have her, as the many testimonies show. DHS '70
Mary (Sweetser) Hayes
June 9, 2009
Sara and Nancy - I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a very sweet and gracious lady and always kind to me. She will be missed. You surely have many wonderful memories to treasure.
Laura Seely Richey
June 9, 2009
I just loved Mrs. Whitaker. She was my 10th grade biology teacher. My junior year she started an advanced biology class which I took. In my senior year I became her lab assistant. In college I tried to take a course in dissection, but not being a biology (or even a science major) I was laughed at and told "no". I credit Mrs. Whitaker for my love of the subject. She was ever the lady, dressed to the nines. She had such a passion for her subject and it wore off on me. I felt a very close to her. (I also had Mr. Whitaker in Jr. High as my social studies teacher.) I was very fortunate to have had Mrs. Whitaker as a teacher for three years. My deepest condolences to her family. She was a wonderful lady.
Pat Frosch
June 9, 2009
Nancy and Sara - What a blessing your mom was to all her students, even when we didn't pay attention! I loved her and all she taught me! My thoughts are with you during this sad time.
Shelly
June 8, 2009
Sara-
I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you are going through. Shelly
Glenn Reid Lee
June 8, 2009
Nancy and Sara,Sincere condolences.I never found the opportunity to thank your parents or apologize for my behavior.As a student,I gave your parents a difficult time,to say the least.I never understood why they never gave up on me.I now know that as Christian educators they saw something in me that I didn't know existed.
It would be very easy to say that Deming is a better place because of the Whitakers,but by reading these entries one could truly see the scope of their influence.
Scotty, Sally and June Hewitt
June 8, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Neva Lane
June 8, 2009
Mrs. Whitaker was a terrific teacher and a wonderful woman. She taught my father and then me. We both held her in very high regard. She made it obvious that she had a passion for what she taught. She also had a fantastic personality. God bless her soul.
Joyce Hall Seday
June 8, 2009
What a gift we were given when the Whitaker's chose Deming to practice their beloved profession. They stimulated the minds of many young people, making sometimes difficiult subjects understandable and encouraging them to continue their educational pursuits. The loss is great, but their contribution to this life was one hundred fold and is immeasurable. Joyce Hall Seday Class of '53.
Dru Jones
June 8, 2009
My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Whitakers passing. She taught me so many things as my teacher. Not only did she teach biology but necessary things I would need in every day life. She certainly enriched my life! Such a wonderful lady.
Dru Babers Jones
June 8, 2009
How to begin? I am so sorry for your loss. I can remember that we learned a lot but had fun also. I remember the frogs, earthworms etc. She was always kind and helpful. I remember the big fish tank with fizzies in it. Lee McGuire Strickland.
DHS '61
Vivian DeVaney
June 7, 2009
May the memories of many students who were touched by Ms. Whitaker be a loving reminder of her scholarly significance.
Tom Hamilton
June 7, 2009
Ms Whitaker was my biology teacher in 1947, and "Prof" was my chemistry teacher in 1948. They were just about everyone's favorites. One Christmas a group of we students went caroling, and stood on their front walk to sing. Hester then told us to come back when we were done, and she'd have cookies and hot chocolate for the bunch. Her kindness and compassion will live on, so long as there are former students to remember. I hope you and your families find a little peace and comfort in knowing what wonderful parents you had.
Sally Hossley Bales
June 7, 2009
Nancy and Sarah and Royal,
So sad to hear your news. I really enjoyed the visits I had in Houston with your mom. She always greeted me like the gracious Southern lady that she was. Her surprise birthday party at the Galleria was such fun with Ada Carol Byrne.
I admire what wonderful care you took of your mom these last tough years. You will be in my prayers.
Ruth Anderson
June 6, 2009
"Mizz Whitaker" was my beloved high school biology teacher at Deming High School, and a GREAT teacher she was! I still remember her classes and the specifics of dissecting frogs, grasshoppers, etc. My foundation in biology was SO GOOD that when I got to University, I didn't have to take Biology 101 (and that was in the days before KLEP or AP courses) and the science classes in my nurses training were a breeze. My cousin, Ray Richardson, was her neighbor on Nickel Street and my great-grandmother Phillips lived in the red brick house on the corner of the same block with the overgrown yard. Even we irreverent teenagers adored her soft Southern speech and I can still hear her say "Say-ruh" instead of "Seh-ruh" like Demingites did! I always thought she chose "Ruth" for one daughter's name because she liked me, but then, we all thought she liked us best. I certainly liked HER best.
Much love, Ruth Ann Phillips Anderson DHS '53
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