Cathie Lea (Thornburgh) Whipkey
April 20, 1949-December 3, 2020
Mrs. Cathie Lea (Thornburgh) Whipkey, daughter of the late Lavern and Berniece Thornburgh, was born April 20, 1949, in Enid, Oklahoma. She passed away unexpectedly December 3, 2020. She attended Jet Schools through high school and furthered her education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University earning a master’s degree in Education. She was a middle school teacher at Aline-Cleo and a Kindergarten teacher in Higgin’s TX. She taught many years retiring from both Oklahoma and Texas.
Cathie married Harold Whipkey on February 25, 1995. The blended union blessed her with 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. She was known to her grandchildren as “Gramcracker”.
When she wasn’t teaching, she enjoyed volunteering, singing, gardening, golfing, skiing, fishing in Colorado, Thunder basketball games, and spending time with her grandchildren.
As a result of her generous spirit and outgoing personality, she was loved by many. Cathie was a unique and special woman.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: The late Msgt. Justin Diel and Natalie Diel of Navarre, Fl; Casie Brownlee of Edmond; Kristina Redman of Edmond; Kimberly Scrogin, of Corning, AR; Ronnie and Holly Whipkey of Kingston; Roger and Rebecca Whipkey, of Lubbock, TX; her grandchildren, Brianna and Savannah Diel; Wren and Jace Brownlee; William and Wesley Redman; Austin, Garrett, and Christopher Scrogin; Ben, Mason, and Jacob Whipkey; Reagan and Rylee Whipkey; great-grandchildren, Jarrett and Ivy Diel-Buttrill; and her siblings, Patrick Thornburgh of Jet and Christie Jackson of Oregon City, OR.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, Lavern and Berniece Thornburgh and her son Msgt Justin Diel.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations be given to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made at www.ladusauevans.com.