Reba Jo Whitley

Reba Jo Whitley, of Palestine, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, the 24th day of July 2026, at the age of 91. She was born in Elkhart, Texas on the 4th day of March 1935 to parents John Robert Gunnels and Florence Till Gunnels. On the 12th day of August 1952, Mrs. Whitley married the love of her life, Billie Whitley, beginning a beautiful journey of shared love and family that spanned decades.

Mrs. Whitley was known by all as a remarkably sweet lady whose warmth and kindness brightened every room she entered. She was an excellent housewife who took immense pride in creating a loving home, and she worked alongside her family at their business, Whitley's Automotive. Mrs. Whitley was a devoted member of the Crockett Road Church of Christ, where she found great joy in fellowship and faithfully attended the ladies' Bible class every Tuesday. Outside of work and church, Mrs. Whitley loved the simple pleasures of life. She could often be found casting a line while fishing or relaxing with a glass of her favorite sweet tea.

For more than nine decades, Mrs. Whitley served as a steady anchor for her loved ones, sharing her warmth and love with everyone. Mrs. Whitley will be dearly missed by her son Mike Whitley and wife Renee; daughter, Lana Delk and husband Scott; brother, Gary Gunnels and wife Renee; grandchildren, Lauren Hope Gregory and husband Daniel, Laci Noel Hickman and husband Gage, Michael Henderson, and Susie Wolf. She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Leighton Hope Gregory, Lexa Grace Hickman and Livia Scott Hickman, along with other family members and friends.

Mrs. Whitley is preceded in death by her parents John and Florence Gunnels, husband Billie Whitley, and her brother, John Dawson Gunnels.

Visitation with Mrs. Whitley's family will be held on Friday, the 31st day of July 2026 from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening at Rhone Funeral Home.

The family will gather for a private graveside service at Myrtle Springs Cemetery.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Mike Whitley, Scott Delk, Daniel Gregory, Gage Hickman, Gary Gunnels and John Lester.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed towards Pleasant Hills Children's Home, ​P.O. Box 1177, Fairfield, Texas 75840.

Funeral arrangements for Reba Whitley are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. Please visit her online memorial tribute at www.rhonefuneralhome.com, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.