Lola M Whitaker

Lola M. Whitaker of Amarillo, Texas, passed into our Heavenly Father's arms on November 8, 2016, after a brief illness.  She was surrounded and embraced in prayer by her loving family as she peacefully slipped into the bonds of this life.

Lola was born on March 6, 1932, in the rural Rusk County Community of Overton, Texas, and born to and raised by Lawyer Leonard and Pearlene Gilmore.

Even at a young age, Lola enjoyed attending church with her family and doing church work.  She professed her hope in Christ and was baptized at an early age and continued to serve as a young leader in the church.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  She later received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Denver.  She also obtained advanced studies beyond her Master’s Degree at Texas Tech University, receiving all necessary required certifications to provide advanced instructional learning.

Shortly after graduating college in 1953, Lola landed her first teaching job in the Amarillo Public School system at the age of 21.  She was a First Grade school teacher at Carver Elementary School.

She married her college sweetheart, Clemon Whitaker on June 8, 1955.  To this union were born two sons, Randy Eureka Whitaker and Bernard Edward Whitaker.

She was later promoted to Coordinator of Language Arts Teachers for the Amarillo Independent School District (AISD).  She received a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Department of Education.  Mrs. Whitaker participated in the initial training program for Chapter I in 1965.  On June 3, 1981, she became Principal of Robert E. Lee Elementary School, making her the first African American woman to be a school principal in AISD.  While Principal, she was one of two educators that received national recognition for work in the Title I, Chapter I Federal Program.

She was honored in 1992 for her commitment to excellence in teaching when AISD selected her as an awardee of the R. A. Selby Lifetime Service Award for Youth.  She was also the recipient of numerous other awards for her commitment to education.

Lola completed her educational career as Principal at Robert E. Lee Elementary School, retiring in June 1993.

Mrs. Whitaker was a tireless Civic Leader.  She was a faithful member of the Carter Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church which she joined in 1954 and where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Stewardess, Missionary and was active in the Church Choir.

Her community involvement included Habitat for Humanity, The United Way of Amarillo and Canyon in which she served as an Advisory Member, the Salvation Army, the Amarillo United Citizens Forum (Life Member), the Amarillo Branch NAACP (Life Member), Pride of the Panhandle Golf Club (non-golfing member), Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliation, Superior No. 214 and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., (50 Year Member Participant).

Lola enjoyed traveling with her husband Clemon to visit her sons, grandchildren and family.  She also enjoyed the Arts which included both the Amarillo Opera and the Amarillo Symphony.  She also enjoyed frequenting the Casinos and Horse Racing Tracks with her family.

She also really enjoyed sitting on the front porch watching the neighbors pass by and sharing their daily greetings and walking daily in the community with Mrs. Harris.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker have enjoyed a loving, learning, supportive, fun and committed marriage for more than 61 years.

Lola leaves a legacy of creativity and structure, joy and laughter, an appreciation of nature and its creator, God.  Lola also leaves to cherish her memory, husband Clemon Whitaker, two sons Randy Whitaker and Bernard Whitaker (Maria, a wonderful daughter-in-Law), a brother Lee Alton Hicks (Mattie) of Houston Texas, four grandchildren, Ryan, Maja, Elliott and Sofia Whitaker, her Carter Chapel CME Church Family, Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta, Sisters of Order of the Eastern Star P. H. A. Superior No. 214 and a host of extended family.

Arrangements were entrusted to Warford-Walker Mortuary.