Oleta M. Whitaker

Oleta M. Whitaker, 81, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 4, 2013 in Abilene. Services will be at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 6, with Rev. Stan Allcorn officiating. Burial will follow in McBee Cemetery in South Taylor County. Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. She was born in Jones County, Texas on August 9, 1931 to Emmett and Lillie Whitaker. Oleta was a small child when her family moved to rural South Taylor County where she grew up and graduated from South Taylor County High School in 1948. Oleta attended Hardin-Simmons University for three years. Oleta began work at Western Cotton Oil Company which became Paymaster Feeds, and later became Cargill Industries. She was a dedicated employee for 39 years. She was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene. Oleta was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Joe Ray Whitaker. She is survived by cousins, Betty Marsh and family and Ruby Kinnard and family, many distant cousins, and nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her close childhood friends, Mitzy and Don Hart. Oleta requested that any memorial donations be made to The Salvation Army, 1726 Butternut St., Abilene, TX 79602, or the donor’s favorite charity.