Helen Leona Whatley, age 97, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2016 in a Cedar Park nursing home. A funeral will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016 at the Bellmead Funeral Home Chapel with her grandson, Terry Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 24th at the funeral home.
Leona was born February 19, 1919 in West, Texas, the daughter of William Scott and Ida Lee (Callen) Lillard. She was raised in the Hubbard area and moved to Waco in 1935. She married Otis Whatley February 10, 1936 and he preceded her in death on February 9, 1993. She worked in the La Vega Middle School cafeteria for many years and was a charter member of the Timbercrest Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded by her parents; infant son, Otis Whatley, Jr.; son, Wendell Glenn Whatley; five brothers and three sisters.
Leona is survived by her daughter, Peggy Lemanski and husband, Benny of Georgetown; sister, Peggy Zwahr and husband, Milton of Houston; grandchildren, Terry Johnson and wife, Heather, Melissa Roberts and husband, Rex, Tammy Coe and husband, Jimmy, Wendy Neugent and husband, Jim, Rick Whatley and wife, Karen, and Brian Whatley and wife, Tonya; great grandchildren, Brandon and Parker Whatley, Brittany and Lauren Johnson, Ryan Roberts and Amber Dowty, Courtney Coe, Jordan, Serena and Graciella Whatley, Skylar and Sawyer Neugent; great great grandchildren, Hunter, Brooklynn and Jaylee; several nieces and nephews.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.bellmeadfuneralhome.com