Dr. Charlotte Sibley Whitaker

Charlotte Rose Sibley Whitaker passed away on August 19, 2026. She was born on January 9, 1937, to Oscar Herbert Sibley, Jr. and Leola Rhodes Sibley in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Charlotte graduated from high school in Natchitoches at 16 years old and headed off to Baylor University to study nursing. It was while she was at nursing school that she met JC (Jake) Whitaker, who was graduating from dental school. After a whirlwind romance, they married in December of 1955 and moved to Roswell, New Mexico, where Jake was stationed as a captain in the Air Force. It was there that they had their first child, Jay Bradford.

In 1957, their little family moved to Midland to open up a dental practice. Jake did dentistry, and Charlotte managed the office and home. In December of 1957, they welcomed their second born, Timothy Keith. In March of 1960, their third child, Kimberly Alyece, was born. Their family now complete, Charlotte was one busy wife and mother.

Jake and Charlotte joined First Baptist Church upon arriving in Midland. There, they became very involved and made dear and lifelong friends. Charlotte was the church pianist for 38 years and played for choir and orchestra.

Charlotte was always an overachiever, receiving her first honor as the Healthiest Baby at the County Fair (she always called it the Fattest Baby award). She was involved in the Junior League of Midland with a special love of the Cerebral Palsy Center. She was a natural care giver, always looking for ways to serve others. Charlotte was also a bit of a groundbreaker, becoming the first woman ever selected to the Baptist Home Mission Board.

When her kids got a bit older, Charlotte decided to go back to school and pursue her degree at Texas Tech (Wreck ‘Em!). She burned up the road between Midland and Lubbock, taking care of her family and her schoolwork. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, she went on to complete both her Master’s and PhD in philosophy, with a focus on music education. She taught classes at Midland College and then at Odessa College, where she became the Dean of Music, Arts, and Physical Education. While at Odessa College, she served as the musical director for productions at The Globe Theatre and the Midland Community Theater.

Charlotte and Jake loved traveling. They traveled with church groups, the Odessa College choir, and with friends and family to at least 30 countries. Charlotte was mainly an ‘indoor girl’ but enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, and scuba diving. She loved the Texas Rangers (but didn’t care for the City Connect uniforms).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Leola Sibley, brother Robert Earl, and adoring husband Jake. Charlotte is survived by her three children; Brad Whitaker of Midland, Keith Whitaker and wife Loretta of Dallas, Kimberly Rhoads and husband Randy of Kerrville, her grandkids; Courtney Rhoads Alkek and husband Travis of Brisbane, Australia, Lecia Whitaker Bruton of Weatherford, Jay Whitaker and wife Hillary of Denver, CO, Cameron Rhoads and wife Savannah of San Francisco, CA, Caroline Rhoads and partner Nick of Pacifica, CA, and Timothy Whitaker and partner Pamela of Dallas. Charlotte was blessed with seven great-grandkids.

We would like to express our gratitude to the 8^th floor staff at Midland Memorial Hospital for their loving care of our mother during her time there.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sisters in Service of Kerrville or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

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