Jackie Whiteaker

  Jackie Craig Whiteaker was born February 11, 1932 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and went to be with the Lord on August 12, 2016, at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Jackie was preceded in death by her child Billie Floyd Whiteaker II,  by her father Jack Craig of Cookson, Oklahoma, mother Wilma McCormick of Temple, Texas, and by her brother Rev. Bob Craig and wife Lela of Branch, Arkansas, and sisters Shirley Craig Joyce and Linda Kay Craig, both of Grove, Oklahoma. 

       Jackie is survived by her devoted husband Billie Floyd (Bill) Whiteaker of Panama, Oklahoma.  She leaves behind five beloved children, Gary Whiteaker and wife Georgia, of Enid Oklahoma, Carol Whiteaker Harrison and husband Jim of Nacogdoches/Houston, Texas, Susan Whiteaker Bevil of Panama, Oklahoma, Steve Whiteaker of Conway, Arkansas, and John Whiteaker and wife Kim, of Panama, Oklahoma; with 13 grandchildren:  Joey Whiteaker (and wife Macy) of Enid, Oklahoma, Shae Harrison Wilson (and husband Mike) of Houston, Texas, Lori Harrison Reichardt (and husband Chris) of The Woodlands, Texas, Justin Phillips of Panama, Oklahoma, Andrew Bevil (and wife Kagen) of Panama, Oklahoma, Ashley Bevil of Panama, Oklahoma;  Wylie Whiteaker (and wife Nicole), Luke Whiteaker & Max Whiteaker of Conway, Arkansas;  Sierra, Benjamin, Gabrielle and Maci Whiteaker of Panama, Oklahoma;  9 great-grandchildren and other loved ones, family and friends. Jackie is also survived by her brothers Charles  McCormick of Kansas City, Kansas, and John McCormick of Temple, Texas.

       Jackie had a servant’s heart, and her great joy in life came from taking care of others, her helpmate and partner in life husband Bill, her children, her grandchildren, and anyone that she met along life’s way as Jackie never knew a stranger.  She was devoted to Bill, the wellspring of all things good in her life.  She was happiest by his side, working at their Antique Shop in Van Buren, Arkansas or when they were off on one of their many adventures to find treasures for their shop. You could often find them side by side at estate sales where they both always had a knack for finding special things.  Jackie’s true treasures, however, were her family members.  One of her favorite verses was Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 

Visitation will be held at Evans and Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, Oklahoma  Monday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm, . Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Panama, Oklahoma, on August 16, at 10:00 am, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery,  Panama, Oklahoma.