Jeanette passed away July 9, 2019, in Canton after a long illness. Born August 2, 1939, in Wills Point, TX, to Ernest Gordon Whitaker and Ophelia Thompson Whitaker, her amazing life would lead her around the globe before bringing her full circle, back to her home town of Canton.
Jeanette grew up in Canton and graduated from Canton High School in 1957. She married Bonny Louis Sumner April 30, 1955, at the age of 15. Jeanette began her teaching career in Bethel teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grade in one classroom. She also taught 6th grade in Crandall, TX. During these years, she received her Masters Degree in Library Science. She then moved on to the position of Learning Resource Director for Henderson County Jr. College in Athens, TX, where she worked for 11 years. While at Henderson County Junior College, she continued working toward her Doctorate Degree.
In the summer of 1976, Bonny, Jeanette, and son, Reagan, moved to Isfahan, Iran, where Bonny took the position of Training Supervisor and, later, Project manager, while Jeanette taught 6th grade at the American School of Isfahan for Expat employee children. It was an amazing time for them. Jeanette took every opportunity to travel. At one point she drove in a rental car, with Reagan, across Iran, through Turkey, and into Syria. At the height of the Iran Crisis in 1979, they were some of the last to leave, escaping on one of the last planes to leave Tehran. After a brief return to Canton, they moved to Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, working for the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO,) beginning another legacy. (Son, Rodney, and family, would follow to Saudi Arabia in 1982, and, currently, Granddaughter, Tiffany, and her family have made their home there.) In Saudi Arabia, Bonny was Superintendent of Metal Craft Training while Jeanette taught school before moving on to the position of Director of the ARAMCO Corporate Technical Library. They returned to Canton in 1985 where they owned and operated several businesses. During their time abroad, Jeanette traveled extensively and had many experiences that others would never have thought to pursue.
Jeanette is survived by her Son, Rodney Sumner, & wife, Yvonne of Lafayette, LA; Son, Reagan Sumner & wife, Dawn of Canton; Granddaughter Tiffany Sumner Boggan & husband, Brandon, of Saudi Arabia; Grandson Ryan Sumner & wife, Maxine of Canton; Grandson Randon Sumner & wife Brittany, of Canton; Grandson Reece Sumner. Great Grandchildren include: Gordon Boggan, Garin Boggan, Clara Jeanette Boggan, Ransom Sumner, Rowan Sumner, and Rainier Sumner. She is also survived by her Sister, Judy Whitaker Davis, and Nephew Kyle Davis.
Jeanette is preceded in death by her Parents, Ernest & Ophelia Whitaker; and Husband, Bonny Sumner.
Entombment will be at Haven of Memories in Canton, TX.
Family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Eubanks Funeral Home.
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