Lena LaRue Webb Whisenhunt

Lena LaRue Webb Whisenhunt, 89, of Midland, TX, passed away on March 6, 2023. She was born May 23, 1933, in Hammon, OK, as one of eight children to Levi H Webb and Nellie Opal Scherer Webb. Her childhood was spent chopping cotton until she was old enough to get a job as a carhop at Duke’s Drive-In in Elk City, OK. It was there she met her future husband, James Denvil Whisenhunt. LaRue married Denvil on March 11, 1951 shortly before graduating from high school. After graduation, the young couple moved to Calgary, Alberta, in July 1951 where they lived for 13 months.

After returning to the states, LaRue and Denvil lived in a variety of places as they traveled for Denvil’s job with Shell Oil Company. During their marriage, the family moved 12 times throughout the Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma areas. It was during one of their moves to Hobbs, NM, in 1955 where she became a Christian while attending Castle Avenue Baptist Church. After that, no matter the location, LaRue made sure her family was serving the Lord.

LaRue raised four children who she greatly loved. No matter what her children were doing, she ensured they were doing it in style. LaRue was an expert seamstress whose precision, attention to detail, and patience resulted in beautiful clothes for her family.

LaRue was always a fighter willing to defend and protect those she loved. She persevered through adversity in her life and always worked to help others along the way. She worked to instill important core values in each of her children and grand-daughters – the importance of faith, family, hard work, and a good laugh. Whether it was a victory lap after winning a game of dominoes or a quick comeback, LaRue was always ready with a smile and a laugh. LaRue will be remembered as a Christian firm in her faith with love in her heart and a smile at the ready.

LaRue was preceded in death by her husband, Denvil Whisenhunt, parents, Levi and Nell Webb, three sisters, three brothers, and one son, Thomas Lee Whisenhunt. Survivors include children: Elaine Whisenhunt of Midland; Randy (Janet) Whisenhunt of Hillsboro, KS; and Loretta (Hadyn) Bourn of Houston, TX. Other survivors include grand-daughters Julie Ford (husband Tony and children James and Joseph) and Jennifer Whisenhunt of New York City, NY; and Gabi Bourn of Houston, TX. LaRue is also survived by one brother, Phil Webb of Elk City, OK, and a host of additional beloved family – members from both the Webb and Whisenhunt clans.

Special thanks must be given to LaRue’s honorary daughter, Jan Craig of Midland. Jan provided unparalleled support, care, and friendship to LaRue in her later years. Additional thanks to the staff of Manor Park’s Scharbauer Cottage and Hospice of Midland. We thank you for your loving care and kindness toward our mother in her final days. A final thanks to Dr. Ram Kolluru who worked diligently as her cardiologist for the past twenty years to help maintain her health and quality of life.

Friends are invited for visitation with the family on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, 3800 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79705. A graveside service celebrating LaRue’s life will be at 11 a.m. MST on Friday, March 10, 2023, followed by a service in the chapel on the grounds at Prairie Haven Memorial Park Chapel, 1900 E. Stanolind Rd., Hobbs, NM 88240. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

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