Sharon Caldwell Whatley's Obituary
SHARON CALDWELL WHATLEY
On October 6, 2008, Sharon Caldwell Whatley, 78, died after a lengthy illness and now rests with God. Services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Thursday, October 9th at 10:00 AM with Father Eric Zubler and Verger John C. Murphy officiating with graveside services to follow at Judson Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home on the evening of October 8th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Her father, Pat Caldwell, was from Ireland and served in the British Navy of the Battleship HMS Barham, during World War I. Her mother, Carmen Jenkins, was from Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They met and were married in Dallas, Texas. On September 12, 1930, Sharon and her identical twin sister, Shirley, were born in San Antonio, Texas. The family moved to Longview in 1941.
Sharon was graduated from Longview High School, Kilgore Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree, and Stephen F. Austin State College with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
While in high school, she and her sister Shirley played doubles on the high school tennis team, going to The Texas State Tournament their junior and senior years, finishing runner-up their senior year. After a month of coaching by Jimmy Langham in Bandera, Texas, Sharon and Shirley beat the UIL State Champions from Highland Park, in Houston, Texas, 6-0, 6-0.
While at Kilgore Junior College, Sharon and Shirley were asked to be on a team of the five top junior singles players in Texas to compete for the Sears Cup. The underdog Texas team captured the national intersectional Girls Tennis team championship by defeating the top-seeded Western team 4-3 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Sharon married Wesley Whatley on November 24, 1956 and had one son, Clay Whatley.
Sharon worked for East Texas Plumbing Supply, Stanoland Oil and Gas now BPpic, and Texas Eastman. She retired from Eastman after 25 years of service.
In 1993, she began playing Duplicate Bridge. With the help of many partnerships and friends, she finished her requirements for red and gold points, and made Life Master in 1998. She eventually made Bronze Life Master.
Sharon was most appreciative of Patsy Williams' unselfish help and support before, during, and after her treatments and surgery for pancreatic cancer. Sharon's family is and will be forever grateful to Patsy.
She was proud of her heroic forefathers who fought in the American Revolution. She was a member of the following organizations: Aaron Burleson Longview Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution NSDAR; Thomas Noble New Orleans Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonist NSDAC; Robert Ruffin New Orleans Chapter, NSCDXVIIC; and Chalmette New Orleans Chapter, United States Daughters of 1812.
Her parents, Pat and Carmen Caldwell preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband, Wesley Whatley of Longview; son, Clay Whatley of Seattle, Washington; her identical twin sister, Shirley Caldwell of Longview. Sharon's faithful dog, Mandy, missed and looked for her each day she was in the hospital and hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, Gregg North Unit, PO Box 906, Longview, TX 75606.
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