Ina Lee Wherritt

Ina Lee Wherritt (93) of Thomas, Oklahoma, passed away June 30, 2015, at Corn Heritage Village of Weatherford. Ina was born July 9, 1921 at Liberty Center, Oklahoma to John Phillip South and Ruby Ann (McClure) South. She attended school at Liberty Center and graduated from Leedey High School. On February 28, 1942, she married George Edwin Wherritt and they moved during World War II to Wichita, Kansas where both worked at Boeing. They then moved to Greasy Corner just south of Leedey and established their home and had two children. They farmed for a few years and then in 1953 moved to Thomas, where they had their last child. They opened Wherritt Dry Goods, which Ina ran while she raised three children, managed a house and large garden, sewed endlessly for her children, crocheted something every time she sat down, and served her Lord and Savior through her beloved First Baptist Church. She fried a million chickens for church dinners and was always to be counted on when there was a need. After Edwin's death in 1986, she returned in earnest to her hobby of quilting. Now that she had time on her hands, she no longer quilted from necessity, but made beautiful works of art for all her children and her grandchildren. She loved her irises, her garden and her yard, and could be seen at all hours on her mower, pulling her wagon, and working outside. She took up painting and cross stitch. She was very talented and could figure out how to do anything she thought was interesting. Dementia may have taken her memories, but she retained her quick wit and sense of humor always. Her joy in her Savior never wavered, and she expressed her thanks to the end for all the blessings with which her Heavenly Father had showered her. She dearly loved and was very proud of her children. But her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a special joy to her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, her parents, JP and Ruby South, two sisters, Emma Britton and Johnnie May Hall, and one brother, Bill South. Ina is survived by one sister, Allene Foster; her daughter, Edwina Ann (Wendi) and son-in-law Robert Brimmer of Thomas; her son Barton and daughter-in-law Karen Wherritt of Custer City; and son Phil and daughter-in- law Jane Wherritt of Thomas. Five grandchildren: Rodney Wherritt and wife Roshelle of Thomas; Butch Wherritt and wife Kasey of Custer City; Renae Haymaker and husband Drew of Enid; Kristi Wherritt of Dodge City, KS, and John Bergum and wife Dawn of Cocolalla, ID. Seven great-grandchildren: Kole Wherritt and Kaleb Schrock of Custer City; Regan, Roselind and Rayne Wherritt of Thomas; Jesse Haymaker of Enid and Kira Bergum of Cocolalla, ID. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, July 3, 2015, at First Baptist Church of Thomas, Oklahoma, with Pastor Jerry Yode officiating. Her mortal remains will be laid to rest at Mound Valley Cemetery, Thomas, Oklahoma, there to await the resurrection of all life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Thomas, OK.