Obituaries

Janie Elizabeth Whitten age 79 passed away at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital-WNJ on March 8 2013. Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Sherman TX on Wednesday March 13th at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Jim Pledger officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Whitesboro TX. Visitation will be immediately after service prior to going to cemetery. Ms. Whitten will lie in state at Dannel Funeral Home on Tuesday March 12 2013 from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with no formal visitation. Janie was born to Tom Whitten and Gertrude Kilgore Whitten on November 11 1933 in Whitesboro TX. She lived in Whitesboro throughout her school years and attended Austin College for one year. She began her career with GTE soon after High School in Whitesboro and later transferred to Sherman. She retired from GTE at the age of 55 in 1988. After her retirement she worked at ConradÃ?Æ?Ã?¢Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¡Ã?¬Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¾Ã?¢s Pies & More The Blue Door and CarolÃ?Æ?Ã?¢Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¡Ã?¬Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¾Ã?¢s Red Apron until her death. She was the cashier whom everyone loved and enjoyed. She had so many friends and was a good friend in return. Janie was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sherman. She served as Treasurer at the church for 11 years. She was an Altrusan for 40 years which she held the positions of president Treasurer and Vice President. She belonged to the Sherman Community Series the Wilson N. Jones Foundation Board and she was a Legacy Donor to WNJ. She was in the WNJ Exercise Group and a member of the Ethel Rentfro Book Review Club. Janie won her battle over cancer. She worked prayed and followed all of her DoctorÃ?Æ?Ã?¢Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¡Ã?¬Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¾Ã?¢s orders. She won this battle through her faith in God. Even the loss of her eyesight was conquerable through her faith. Janie had a love for the Arts a flair for musicals and to dress very well. She was a member of the Dallas Community Series. She made sure to make all the productions and most often with Margaret (Cookie) Hill one of her dearest friends. The Gaither concerts at Bass Hall were also among her favorites. Janie loved Gospel music and played it well on her piano and accordion. Janie loved to shop for beautiful clothes at her favorite shop Fashion Reflections. She had very good taste and loved to dress up. She took pride in her appearance. Janie was an avid reader. She was well versed in the Bible and dearly loved her church family. Her faith in god was incredible. Janie stayed informed on politics current events and the stock market. She was extremely politically knowledgeable. She was a generous donor not only to her church but to friends family Grand Central Station and numerous others. She supported the WNJ WomenÃ?Æ?Ã?¢Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¡Ã?¬Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¾Ã?¢s Seminars held at the Wright Center at Austin College annually. Her sense of humor was incredible. She loved to laugh with and enjoy her friends and family. She never met a stranger. Janie loved to travel. For many years at Christmas time she flew to different cities that she hadnÃ?Æ?Ã?¢Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¡Ã?¬Ã?¢ââ?¬Å¾Ã?¢t been to before. She traveled alone most of the time but would include a dear friend if they wanted to join her. First and foremost Janie was a lady. Janie was preceded in death by her parents sister Tommie Jo Gates brothers Tom Whitten and David Whitten. She is survived by her devoted sister Virginia Draper of Whitesboro and many nieces and nephews. Donations may be made to FUMC Sherman 401 N. Elm St. Sherman TX 75090 or Grand Central Station 110 S. Throckmorton Sherman TX 75090 You may sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com