Nathylee Whitley

Nathylee Lucile (Caudle) Whitley was born in Plymouth, Illinois, on December 26, 1916, to Leo Hardin and Myrl (Beard) Caudle.  She attended Capital Hill Senior High School in Oklahoma City and graduated in 1935.  She attended Central State Teacher’s College in Edmond, and the University of Oklahoma graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1939.  Nathylee married James William Whitley on June 16, 1939, and they lived in Asher, Oklahoma, before moving to Seminole.  After James enlisted in the United States Army, Nathylee moved to Oklahoma City, where she taught second grade at Valley Brook and Lafayette schools.  After serving three years in the army during World War II, James returned home, and they moved to Duncan where Amerada Petroleum Corporation employed him.  While in Duncan, their two daughters Mary Lee and Ruth Ann were born.  They subsequently moved to Seminole, Oklahoma; Tioga, North Dakota; Outlook, Montana, and back to Seminole.  After the death of James, Nathylee began teaching again in Seminole in 1966 at Roosevelt and Wilson grade schools, teaching third grade.  She retired from teaching in 1983.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Wedding Ring Sunday School class, the Administrative Council, and the United Methodist Women.  Additionally, Nathylee was also leader of the Prayer chain, Captain of the Martha Group, a founding Board Member of the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, where she was a docent,  a member of the Seminole County Retired Educators, and Chairman of the Scholarship Committee.  She was a member of the Self Culture Club, Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron four times, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma, Church Women United, and American Association of University Women.  One of her favorite activities was attending the Shawnee Little Theater and being a member of the Tuesday morning Prayer Group.  She enjoyed traveling to England, France, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Alaska, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, cooking, flowers, wild birds, and being with her family members.  Nathylee was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and one sister, Helen.  She is survived by her daughter Mary Lee and husband Dane Eugene Gill of Choctaw, Oklahoma, her daughter Ruth Ann and husband Samuel Bill Tyo, Edmond, her sister Jacquelyn, wife of Carl Holder of Pleasanton, California; many nieces, nephews, other family members and loved ones.  Nathylee will be remembered for her great faith in God, her service to others, her wonderful sense of humor, and her love of family.  Contributions may be made in Nathylee’s memory to the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum at 1714 Wrangler Blvd. Seminole, OK 74868, or to the First United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 1314 Seminole, OK 74818.  Nathylee’s last wish is that you will enjoy your memory of her and “go on your way smiling.” Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 6, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Seminole.  Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Garden located at 8701 N.W. Expressway in Oklahoma City with Rev. Gary Wilburn officiating. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: August 6, 2011, 1:30 PM First United Methodist Church Seminole located at 910 Wrangler Blvd., Seminole, OK 74868