Obituary of Jean Alice Whitney

Jean Alice Whitney was born on January 21, 1937 in Sapulpa to Leroy and Monnie Chapman.  She was the 2^nd oldest of four children.    She spent her youth in Sapulpa and would graduate from Sapulpa High in 1955.  

Soon after, Jean met and fell in love with Edward Whitney and they were married in Sapulpa on September 5, 1958.    They began their life long journey in a foreign land known as Lakewood, New Jersey.  Ed was in the Navy and was based at Lakehurst Naval Base. They did not have much money during this time, but they had each other.  At one point they had money for either food or a Monopoly board game.  They chose the Monopoly game as it was a better way to pass the time. After Ed was discharged, they moved to Shawnee Mission, KS to begin their family and were blessed with three daughters and one son.  Homesick for Oklahoma, Jean and her family moved back to Sapulpa where she would go on to live in the same house for the next 50 years. 

Jean’s top priority was always Family.   She always wanted to help her loved ones in any way that she could… and she often would.   She was a stay at home mom while her children were young and transitioned to teaching for Little Friend’s Preschool at First Baptist Church where she taught for over 20 years.    Jean loved teaching the little ones and treasured the friendships she made with the other teachers.   Jean and Ed absolutely loved going to the lake.  Their dream of a lake place came true when they purchased a cabin on Grand Lake.  Jean enjoyed sitting in the quiet and watching the sun rise and set across the water.   Jean, as always, put family first and created a tradition of having everyone come up to the lake place for special weekends, get-togethers, and especially the 4^th of July.   

Jean would always make sure to send cards for every occasion from holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries to any other special moment.  Stray cats also quickly found the size of Jean’s heart when she would not let a single one go hungry when they found a way to her back porch. A fact even the occasional opossum and raccoon would also learn.   She loved her TV shows and anything that challenged her mind:  Jag, NCIS, ID channel, Wheel of Fortune, and especially Jeopardy. Jean also rooted for The Oklahoma State Cowboys and would wear her orange and black with pride.

Over the last few years Jean found much comfort in her relationships through First Baptist Church. She would always look forward to Sunday School class and the weekly church service (just to make sure it’s the service with the regular music and old folks - not the one with the loud music!)    The monthly birthday luncheon with members of the Sunday School class brought Jean much joy.  Jean could always count on her best friend these last few years as well.   Doris and Jean would go out on frequent day trips to Kohl’s, Belk’s, and wherever else they could end up.  Doris and Jean have been best friends since 3^rd grade and their friendship became especially stronger in recent years.  

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Edward Whitney, her parents Leroy and Monnie Chapman, her sisters Judy Plummer and Beryl Luker, and son-in-law Darrell Chancler. She is survived by her brother David “Butch” Chapman of Kauai, Hawaii; daughters Maggie Freeman, Laura Chancler, and Brenda Whitney, all of Sapulpa, and son Eddie Whitney and wife Stacey of Carl Junction, Missouri; grandchildren  Jake, Nathan, Whitney, Nick, Luke; great-grandchildren Lizzie, Cora, and Brendon;  and many other family members and friends.

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