Whila Dene Strait
February 10, 1929 ~ January 27, 2018
Whila Dene Strait, age 88, of Palestine, Texas went to be with our Heavenly Father on Saturday, the 27th day of January, 2018. She was born on the 10th day of February, 1929 in Elkhart, Texas to B. M. McKinney and Ollie Mae Gilcrease. "Grandma" as everyone fondly called her was an accomplished homemaker. She was known for her delicious meals and had a passion for sewing. Whila was a beautician and a devoted member of the Holy Ground Worship Center in Palestine.
She is preceded in death by two husbands, Leonard Bell Haley and Dillard Leon Strait; daughter, Jennifer Ann Haley; brothers, Mardease McKinney, Billy McKinney, Deacon McKinney, R. L. McKinney, Donald McKinney and one brother from early childhood, Charles McKinney.
Whila is survived by her son, Thomas Jack Haley of Elkhart, Texas; brother, Hubert Louis McKinney of Elkhart, Texas; grandchildren, Teresa Ann Pruett and husband Paul of Athens, Texas, Kayla Dene Haley of Clinton, Mississippi; great grandson, Joshua Daniel Ehring of Frisco, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o'clock until eight o'clock in the evening on Thursday, the 1st day of February, 2018 in the Parlor and Reflection Room of Rhone Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Whila Dene Strait will be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 2nd day of February, 2018 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel with Bro. Benny Burlison officiating. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Reflection Room of Rhone Funeral Home.
A private interment will be held at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Elkhart, Texas.
Funeral services for Whila Dene Strait are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
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A Sweet and Warm Remembrance Table Arrangement was ordered on January 29, 2018
I will miss you so much! I have so many memories with you and they will forever be in my heart. Go rest high on the Mountain Aunt Whila Dene, I will see you again â¤ï¸
Aunt Whila Dene has always had a very special place in my heart. She was a wonderful lady that had that little twinkle in her eyes when she talked to you. I am so glad I saw that twinkle just one more time when I visited her last fall. I loved her dearly and will miss her.
The lady who inspired me to pick up the scissors, needle, and thread and go to work using my hands! My greatest memory is the week I spent with her on Lake Palestine when I was ten. No matter the circumstance or situation, you could count on Aunt Wilda to make you laugh!
This was the Sweetest Woman I have had the pleasure of meeting. Loved her quick wit and her wonderful cooking. She will be so missed. But know that she is going home brings some comfort. Prayer for Tom and Tere and the family,
On behalf of all the children of Bill and Pat Strait, I would like to offer our deepest sympathies. Aunt Wilda was very dear to us all and I will cherish the memories of the time we spent with her.
A The Color of Memories Table Arrangement was ordered on February 1, 2018
Sweet Aunt and great cook! Loved us nephews and nieces. Will miss her so. Looking forward in seeing her and Uncle Dick in Heaven one day. God Bless you two.
A very special aunt. She was always there for me. I loved learning to cook with her and she meant the world to me. Love you Aunt Wilda.
A Spathiphyllum was ordered on February 2, 2018