STANTON - Deanna June Swails Whitaker, known to all as “Peachie”, died Nov.17 in Midland.
She was born on June 6, 1939 in Midland, to Beatrice and J.T. Swails. As a young girl she accepted Christ at Calvary Baptist Church on South Main.
She met the love of her life Robert Whitaker as a teen and married him in Loving, New Mexico on Oct. 7, 1956. They celebrated 50 years of marriage until Robert’s death in 2006.
In the 1950’s, she worked for Southwestern Bell as an operator and then Permian Corporation and C&K Petroleum as a filing manager during the 60’s and 70’s. . Also, in the 60’s she and her husband owned an antique store on South Garfield and Wall Streets in Midland where they traveled to the northern plains to find wonderful treasures to sell at the store. In later years, she was a wonderful caretaker to her beautiful mother Bea.
She enjoyed west Texas gardening, especially her rock roses. Her sweet tea and pressure-cooked beans were the best. Fast cars and other vehicles were a passion of hers, especially her Mustangs, Ruby and Misty Blue, a scooter named Hessie, and a 1955-56 GMC pickup named Chippy Paint – just to name a few.
She was always a creative spirit and very artistic, whether it be with music, drawing or carving. She enjoyed telling the story of when she was a young girl, and she participated in a talent show singing with her guitar. However, she lost to a young contestant from Wink, named Roy Orbison.
Another story was when she and her other teenage girlfriends met a young and upcoming artist named Elvis in Midland.
In her later years, she carved beautiful sculptures from driftwood and alabaster stone which she shared with those she loved. After Robert’s passing, she moved to downtown Stanton and enjoyed long walks with her beloved dog Taupe and could be seen often at Sorehead Trade days visiting with friends along the way.
She leaves to cherish her memory two sons Terry and wife Janis Whitaker of Crawford, and Kane and wife Rena Whitaker of Stanton; daughter Kellie and Randy Pittman of Tyler; brothers Jimmy Swails of Pennsylvania and Jan Swails of Germany; sister Sammie Beggs of Midland; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents Bea and J.T. Swails, husband Robert Whitaker, and one infant sister,Beverly.
Funeral Services were Nov. 23, at Pipkin Chapel. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Senior Link Midland to benefit the Meals on Wheels program or another charity of choice.
Funeral service is under the direction of Lewallen-Garcia-Pipkin Funeral Home and Chapel.