Elaine (Morgan) Whitley

Elaine Whitley passed away on October 11, 2022, at the age of 97. A graveside service will be held at Waco Memorial Park on Monday, October 17 at 10:00 a.m., with Dr. David Ummel officiating.

Elaine was born December 25, 1924, to Otto and Byrd Jane Morgan. She was born at home in Lufkin, Texas, a very special Christmas baby. Growing up, she developed a love for singing and dancing. She began vocal training at age twelve and studied voice in New York as a young woman, where she sang in one of the very first televised musical productions. She graduated from Lufkin High School and was named the Jitterbug Queen of Angelina County.

After beginning at Louisiana State University, Elaine graduated from Baylor University, where she studied music and religion and met the love of her life, Robert Allen Whitley, Sr.

Elaine attended Southwestern Theological Seminary until she and Bob eloped on December 1, 1948. They raised their three children in Waco and built their life there. Through their involvement in children’s ministries, they met Pate Chumley and brought him in as a special part of their family. They were actively involved in their local Baptist church, where she served in the choir and as a soloist. She loved singing in revivals and even internationally in missions on the streets of Ukraine. She also enjoyed being involved in civic organizations like the Greenbriar Garden Club and P.E.O.

Later in life, she lived in Dallas, Texas, Longview, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, and Albany, Georgia. She loved living near family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.

Her faith in Jesus was her anchor through life. She prayed without ceasing, often praying for and with those she encountered, from family to strangers. She was kind and generous, and anyone she met was better for having been around her. To Elaine everything was a song. She had a joy for life and an infectious smile. She was the epitome of elegance and grace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Byrd Morgan, her husband, Robert Whitley, Sr., her sister, Sarah Elizabeth Gummelt, and her sons-in-law, David Crowson and Allen Underwood.

She is survived by her daughters, Charmaine Underwood and Jane Ann Crowson, and her son, Robert Whitley, Jr., and Pate Chumley.  She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great- great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Buckner International (www.buckner.org).

Registry for Elaine Whitley