Rachel Whitlow, 86, of Ninnekah, Oklahoma, peacefully passed away on December 18, 2021, of acute coronary failure.
Rachel was born on September 5, 1933 to Ephrom Durham and Katie (Mask) Durham in Decatur, Texas. During her childhood years her family moved to Oklahoma to the Minco area by wagon. She attended Minco schools until the 9th grade.
In 1944 Rachel met Jackson Beaty Whitlow in Minco, OK. They later married in 1944 in Chickasha, OK. Rachel and Jack went on to have 3 children, John Edward Whitlow of Stanton, Kentucky, Mickey Eugene Whitlow of Amber, OK and Anita Marie Whitlow of Bradley, OK.
She managed the household raising 3 children and countless grandchildren. She helped milk cows and took great pride in the garden and canning fruits and vegetables for the family. While her children were attending school she would occasionally fill in at the Ninnekah School Cafeteria when needed. She was also an accomplished hay truck driver on occasion. She loved to sew and made clothing alterations for individuals. Around the time of 1986 she went to work at Nowata Gardens in the building maintenance department. Later on she began cleaning for individuals and discovered that she had the compassion and patience to care for the elderly as a private caregiver which she did until she became unable to do so.
Rachel was predeceased by her parents, five brothers and five sisters, daughter-in- law Donna (De De) Whitlow, son-in-law Charles Fowler, in-laws John and Merle Whitlow of Brownsville, TX. She is survived by her three children (and their spouses) and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as many friends, and relatives.
Services will be held at Ninnekah Baptist Church on December 23rd at 2 pm. Interment will be at the Ninnekah cemetery under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.