Ada Leen Whitener, 82 of Amarillo stepped into the arms of Jesus on Friday, April 26, 2024, in Amarillo. Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Monday, April 29, 2024, at the Carmichael-Whatley Canadian Chapel in Canadian. Interment will follow in the Eller Flatt Prairie Dell Cemetery in the Gem Community with Rev. Hal Carpenter officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Ada Leen Cook was born March 19, 1942, in Canadian, to Claude Jim and Evaline Elizabeth Hardin Cook. She grew up in the Gem Community of Hemphill County. A multi-generational tradition, Ada Leen attended Blue Ridge, a one-room school, during grades 1-6. She then attended Canadian schools and graduated with the class of 1960.

Ada Leen and her family attended the Gem Community Church where she loved to sing in church. William Whitener served as an interim pastor for the Gem Church where he met the love of his life, Ada Leen, and they were married on November 23, 1961. They ministered in life together for 43 years. William and Ada Leen served with Child Evangelism Fellowship for 19 years. They lived in many different places before settling in Georgia. They also ministered Bible lessons with The Mailbox Club and William shared the Gospel at fairs with his Storyline for Kids booth. Ada Leen enjoyed corresponding and sending notes of encouragement to those that William met along the way; she loved kids. Ada Leen always looked forward to returning home to the Texas Panhandle and did so, with her daughter Darleen, in 2021.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Whitener; parents, Claude and Evaline Cook; sister, Reta Beth Chumbley; and a grandson, Austin Wayne Whitener.

Those left to share her memory are a daughter, Ada “Darleen” Whitener of Amarillo; two sons, Timothy Wayne Whitener and wife Melissa of Canyon, Benjamin Charles Whitener of Roswell, Georgia; two grandsons, Dylan Whitener and Jacob Whitener; brother, David Cook and wife Sandie of Canadian; nieces, nephews and extended family.

Memorials may be made to: Gospel Ministries to Children, P.O. Box 3613, San Angelo, TX 76902, (325) 947-7405, gospelministriestochildren.net.