Ernestine G. Wheelock

Ernestine Scott Gibson Wheelock, 93, died April 28, 2018, in Austin, TX. Known to many of her friends as Tina, she was a journalist, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and Christian. She held high-standards for herself and those around her; no task or detail was too small to be overlooked. She was as good at writing and editing a magazine as she was at setting the perfect dinner-party table. She travelled the world with her husband of 68 years, Carter Wheelock, and the University of Texas Exes Flying Longhorns. She enjoyed being with Carter, entertaining her family and friends, reading, University of Texas football, watching Johnny Carson on TV, and participating in national politics. A storyteller, she gravitated to those around her who had a dry wit, and she often played the “straight man” to set up a good one-liner. She cultivated deep friendships with those with whom she could laugh.

Ernestine was born on June 18, 1924, in Knox City, TX, to parents Belva Womble Gibson and Ernest Randolph Gibson. She grew up in Petersburg, TX, on the southern edge of the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression, where her parents ran a newspaper and sometimes traded newspaper advertising for food and housing. A resilient and resourceful person, she obtained a journalism degree from Texas Tech in 1946 and embarked on an award-winning writing and editing career that included posts as reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, writer for Texas Atty. Gen. John Ben Shepherd, food editor for the Austin American-Statesman, public information director for St. Edward’s University, national public relations director for the Association of Women in Communications, and editor of Austin Homes and Gardens. In the 1960s, she reported for a newspaper in Cali, Colombia, while Carter was establishing the English Department there at La Universidad del Valle. Before retiring in 1993, she served 12 years as editor of Alcalde magazine of the University of Texas Exes.

In retirement she volunteered for the Travis County Republican Party, was a member of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, and served as president of Northwest Austin Republican Women.

She was a member of University Baptist Church for nearly seven decades, where she made many lifelong friendships.

She married K. Carter Wheelock of Lubbock in 1945 and they had two children, Ann and David. Her children are grateful to her for her stories, for her loving support, and for the opportunities she gave them to learn, to pursue their interests, and to prosper.

Ernestine is survived by her daughter Ann Friou, of Austin; son and daughter-in-law David and Mary Helen Wheelock of Austin; granddaughter Meredith Edsel, husband James, and great-grandson Jimmy of Austin; granddaughter Monica Wheelock, of Salt Lake City, UT; grandson Ben Friou, of San Marcos, TX, sister Mary Dena Usrey of Albuquerque, NM, and five nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Carter, her parents, her sister Elaine Gibson of Lockney, TX, and her son-in-law, Tom Friou of Austin.

A memorial service honoring her life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11 at University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe St., Austin, followed by a reception. Parking for the church is available on levels 2 and 3 of the Callaway House Garage, 2105 Nueces St. To enter the church, exit the garage elevator at level “B,” cross San Antonio Street, and follow the covered walkway to the church entrance.

The family requests that memorial gifts be made to University Baptist Church.

To share condolences with the family, please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.