Carol Lavee Whitman

She will always be remembered as a loving wife and mother with a deep fondness for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Trivial Pursuit. She was a kind and caring friend to all that knew and loved her. She was born on May 7, 1948 in Unionville, MO to Dale Dwight and Carlene LaVee (Lynch) Hatfield. Carol married her high school sweetheart, Keith Vestal upon graduating on May 28, 1965 and could not wait to be a mother. She wanted to be the best mother she could be and chose to stay home with her two daughters until they were through elementary school. She completed her Associate degree at IHCC in Centerville, IA and then went onto obtain a Bachelor degree at NMSU [Truman University] in Kirksville, MO. After completing her degree, she launched a career with the USPS beginning in 1987 and held positions in several towns as carrier and clerk and in 1991 achieved her career goal and was sworn in as Postmaster for Powersville, MO then in 1994, Postmaster for Newtown, MO. She loved to compete and won many horseshoe tournaments, and excelled in bowling. She loved learning, word challenges and playing games. She was a long time member of the family band with Keith, daughters and family friends. She played guitar, mandolin, bass fiddle and piano. The family spent numerous weekends at bluegrass festivals, playing music, camping and making memories. She retired from the USPS in 2008, to spend more time with her husband following his retirement. After Keith’s passing in 2013, she followed a dream and relocated to Texas.

While living in Texas, she met Jack Whitman and found love again. They were married in their backyard at home in Weatherford on September 26, 2015. She loved living in Texas where she could wear flip flops all year round and swing on her deck every evening with Lizzie Lou to see the lights come on. Carol was an avid animal lover but especially fond of miniature Schnauzers and owned several during her life. They enjoyed eating out at local restaurants, singing karaoke and playing dominoes and Scrabble. They travelled: to Iowa to see her family; a cross country trip to North Carolina to visit Jack’s sister; and a short trip west to see Abilene.

Carol is survived by her husband, Jack Whitman and her beloved Schnauzer Lizzie Lou of Weatherford, TX, daughter Vicky Jo (Robert) Danielson of Davenport, IA, daughter Melody Dawn Vestal (Kevin McKeen) of Grapevine, TX, stepson Mitch (Carrie) Whitman of Covington, TX, stepdaughter Elizabeth (Bill) McLean of Lorena, TX and stepson Alan Scott Whitman (Traci Champlin) of Weatherford, TX. Grandchildren Andrew (Erin) Mitchell of North Liberty, IA, Jordan Wear (Scott Pitts) of Marion, IA, Cailey Buckallew (Stephen Miller) of Grapevine, TX, Madison Harbour of Platteville, WI, step grandchildren Julia (McKeen) Perez, Robert Axel Danielson of Big Sky, MT, Tucker Danielson of Yellowstone, WY, MacKenna Danielson of Davenport, IA, Patrick Whitman of Covington, TX, Jayston Whitman of Meridian, ID and Gavin Whitman of Godley, TX. Great grandchildren Rylen, Mackenzie, and Paisley Miller, of Grapevine, TX, Theodore and Eleanor Mitchell of North Liberty, IA, and step great grandchildren Kaiden and Levi LuJan of Coppell, TX. A sister Amber Dale Hatfield (David Williams) of Unionville, MO, a sister-in-law Glenda Grant of Charlotte, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by first husband Keith Eugene Vestal, a daughter Kimberly Renee Vestal, her father Dale Dwight Hatfield, mother Carlene LaVee Hatfield and a step grandson Travis Whitman. The family will hold a private memorial in Weatherford, TX on Saturday, May 18, 2019.