Ethalea Whatley Newman

Ethalea Whatley Newman February 13, 1916 – December 2, 2006 Ethalea Whatley Newman died Saturday morning, December 2, 2006 at her home. Reverend Stephen Ramsdell of First United Methodist Church will conduct a celebration of her life at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Visitation will be held there from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2006. Interment will be Tuesday afternoon at Chandler Cemetery in Chandler, Texas. Ethalea was born on February 13, 1916 to Vye and H.T. Whatley in Chandler, Texas. She attended high school in Tyler and graduated from Tyler Junior College. She later met and married Arnulf Reed Newman on May 24, 1941. Upon his graduation from Texas A&M, he entered the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Major. Upon completion of his military service, he began his career as an engineer with Shell Oil Company. They spent the majority of their married life in Southern Louisiana. They especially enjoyed their years in New Orleans. She and her husband moved to Waco when he retired in 1970 and they became members of First United Methodist Church. Ethalea was an active participant in the United Methodist Women and the Wesleyan Workers Sunday School Class and formed many friendships in both groups. She was a gourmet cook. She loved to travel and play bridge, but her greatest joy came from time with her family. She and her sister-in-law, Della Whatley, had a very close relationship for 65 years. Ethalea was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her beloved brother Thomas Howard Whatley and her baby brother Billy Jack Whatley. Although Ethalea was not blessed with children of her own, she was a generous, loving aunt to her three nieces and their families – Haven Whatley Toothman and her husband, Chester; Marilea Whatley Lewis and her husband, Dan; April Whatley Bedford and her husband Blair. She was a proud great aunt to her four great nephews – Shannon Lee Toothman and wife Jennifer; Jason Whatley Toothman and wife Vicki; Thomas Hunter Lewis and William Thomas Meacham and to her two great nieces Sheridan Francis Lewis and Morgan Bedford. She was a delighted great, great aunt to her two great, great nephews Brooks Whatley Toothman and Graham Franklin Toothman and to her new great, great niece Maria Lee Toothman. Her “family” would not be complete without mentioning her devoted care giver of recent years, Ray Williams. Ethalea will be greatly missed by all her family who will always cherish the wonderful memories of “Aunt T.” Those wishing to send a memorial are encouraged to remember the Methodist Children’s Home, Wesleyan Workers Class, and Chandler Cemetery Association if they do not have a preference of their own choosing. The family invites you to leave a memory or message in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.