Alean Whitfield Program

Celebrating the Life & Legacy of

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Order of Service

WƌŽĐĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ^ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘͘ E ŚŽŝƌ KůĚ dĞƐƚĂŵĞŶƚ ^ĐƌŝƉƚƵƌĞ ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘ZĞǀ͘ ĚǁĂƌĚ DŽŽƌĞ EĞǁ dĞƐƚĂŵĞŶƚ ^ĐƌŝƉƚƵƌĞ ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘ ŝƐŚŽƉ ĞƌƌŝĐŬ ŽǁŵĂŶ ^ƌ͘ WƌĂLJĞƌ ŽĨ ŽŵĨŽƌƚ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘͘͘͘ ZĞǀ͘ ZƵŶŶĞů tĂƌƌĞŶ ^ŽŶŐ ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘͘͞DLJ ^ŽƵů ,ĂƐ ĞĞŶ ŶĐŚŽƌĞĚ͟ ZĞƐŽůƵƟŽŶƐ džƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ĨƌŽŵ WƵůƉŝƚ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘ tŚŝƞŝĞůĚ &ĂŵŝůLJ DĞĚůĞLJ džƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ŚƵƌĐŚ DĞŵďĞƌ EĞŝŐŚďŽƌ ^ŝďůŝŶŐƐ

EŝĞĐĞƐͬEĞƉŚĞǁƐ ,ŽŶŽƌĂƌLJ ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ĂƌĞŐŝǀĞƌ tŚŝƞŝĞůĚ ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ 'ƌĂŶĚĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ Θ 'ƌĞĂƚ 'ƌĂŶĚĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ

ZĞĂĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ KďŝƚƵĂƌLJ ^ŽŶŐ

ƵůŽŐLJ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘͘ ƌ dŝŵŽƚŚLJ ƌŽǁŶ dŚĞ &ŝŶĂů 'ůŝŵƉƐĞ dŝů 'ůŽƌLJ ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘͘͘ 'ŽůĚĞŶ 'ĂƚĞ ŝƌĞĐƚŽƌƐ ZĞĐĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů

T HE L IFE AND L EGACY OF Alean Whitfield

Alean Johnson graced us with her presence on April 14, 1927 in Dallas, Texas. Alean was number four of eighteen children born to William and Johnnie Johnson. Known as “Sister” to her siblings, Alean was the oldest of ten girls whom she loved dearly along with her eight brothers.

Alean received her formal education from Stanton High School in East, Texas. At a very young age, she accepted Christ and lived her life of faith until she was called home . She was a faithful member of New El Bethel Baptist Church for 49 years under the leadership of the late Rev. V.L Warren and currently under the leadership of Dr. Timothy J. Brown. She loved singing in the choir, teaching youth Sunday school and being a part of the women's mission board. On December 8, 1948 Alean married the late Robert L. Whitfield Sr. To this union four children were born. After marrying was an educator where she began teaching at Mayo Kindergarten under the direction of S.L. Crump where she was a leader, mentor and guide for many years. She was responsible for teaching hundreds of children including her own children and grandchildren. After her tenure as a teacher, Alean retired and focus on her family. She was a housewife where her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her life! Alean enjoyed life as a homeowner of Kellogg Ave in Oak Cliff, Texas for over 50 years. She was also a “second mother” (babysitter/caregiver) for not only family members but also many of her sisters, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Alean’s unconditional love for her family, friends and neighbors left each person truly feeling special. Everyone feels they are “Granny’s, Mothers” Auntie’s, Mrs. Whitfield’s favorite. She lived a full and fruitful life where she taught us all what is really important in life - to love, support and care for one another. We all are better off for having her in our lives. It was written in Alean’s destiny that on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 4:03PM in the presence of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that her name would be written in the Lambs Book of Life. Alean was preceded in death by her husband: Robert L. Whitfield Sr., her parents; eight brothers; and three sisters. Alean leaves to cherish her legacy four children: Robert Jr. (Carol), Donald Sr. (Brenda), Deborah Ray, and Karen Darby O’Quinn; twelve grandchildren: Robert Gipson (Hang Lee), Tito, Gerod, LaKiesha Hughey (Claude), Shanel Smith (Kenneth), Rodrick, Elton Ray (Barnestine), Natoya Coleman, Donald Whitfield Jr (Jessica), China Whitfield, Passion Neal and Jedon Whitfield; twenty-three great grandchildren: Robert II, Christopher, Onthany, Elijah, Spe’Shall, Taylor, Jordynn, Cianna, Carina, Carisa, Donald III, London, Tylen, Cidney Kyri, Rasul, Curtis, Kennedy, Jayla, Cody, SaDarius, A’Layah and Hannah; five sisters: Ethel Doris, Betty (Mitchell), Esterlene, Deloris, Nawana and Julia; two honorary sons: Jimmy (Ella) and Edward (Dianne); a host of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

F ROM Y OUR B OYS My mother was a mother to me the 72 years. There's not much I can say about my mom that everybody does not already know. I'm just going to say, “I'm going to miss her and I'm waiting on her chance to come and visit me!”

Your spirit can do whatever you want now! My mother is with my father and she's with her mother and with a lot of people that have left before her. That's my mama! Love You Mama Robert Jr.

If flowers grow in heaven Lord, then pick a bunch for me. Then place them in my mothers arms and tell her they’re from me. Tell her that I love and miss her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile.

Love You Mom, Donald Ray Sr.

F ROM Y OUR G IRLS Thank you mom

You molded and made the three of us into loving, and kind individuals. We will miss you and your great knowledge that you always bestowed upon us. Rest easy mom we know you're in good hands. We love you with all of our hearts. -Deb As much as I'd like to think I was Mom's favorite child, I know she truly didn't have one. We were all her favorite in one way or another. As the baby of the family I spent MOST of both my childhood and my adulthood with mom. I moved away over the years but only for a short period of time and then right back to my parents. They both were my refuge, safe haven, and protectors. They were the security for my child when I was away, the comfort for me when I had to make important life decisions. I had NOTHING to worry about because my home and my mom and dad were always waiting if I needed them. I remember as a child mom taking care of me, teaching me about God, and wanting me to have most of the things I desired. Where you were stern, firm and strict, you were also understanding, kind and considerate. I remembered all those time in growing up when you went against your better judgement and allowed me to do things to make ME happy. You supported me in my education, my time in the music industry, and even my attempt at entrepreneurship. You always encouraged and believed in me. This is why as you grew older, it was easy and the right thing to do to take care of you. I loved being able to give back to you because of what and who you were to me. I promised you I would NEVER leave you and I kept that promise. Mom you were THE strongest woman I have ever known (although I can see your strength in my daughter Passion now) I appreciated everything about you mom. Even in your later years, you continued to be concerned about me even when you couldn’t do for yourself; you were always making certain that I could handle the task of taking care of you. I will hide all the memories in heart and forever be shaped by your love, care and wisdom.

T HE W ATCHER She always leaned to watch for us Anxious if we ere late,

In winter by the window, In summer by the gate. And though we mocked her tenderly Who had such foolish care, The long way home would seem more safe, Because she waited there. Her thoughts were all so full of us, She never could forget, And so I think that where she is She must be watching yet. Waiting ‘til we come home to her Anxious if we are late Watching from Heaven’s window

T RIBUTES TO G RANNY When asked what is the difference between a grandmother and a granny I can tell you this Mrs Alean Whitfield you are my granny you taught me some of the best lessons in life,that I didn’t learn from anyone but you and that lesson is that family is everything. I get excited about the thought of coming to 3311 because that is where I saw family love in action, and I saw your Undying love for each one of your kids and grandkids. Now I’m sure each one of your grandkids will say that they are your favorite however you had an uncanny gift of making each one of us feel that way and that is a lesson that I have definitely taken with me. But now you and I know the truth wink wink. I will definitely miss you and I having our good old girlfriend conversation where we would talk about anything from your kids to your other grandkids to you sitting there talking about me to my face. I will miss the smell of bacon and coffee coming in the house, holidays and just the random pull up to granny texts from my cousins where we would just have no real agenda other than to come see you and be with each other. There was a void when my momma passed but this is definitely a whole that I can’t imagine how to move forward. You were where I would come to just lay in bed with you and say nothing but you knew what I needed and you would rub my head and kiss my head and that would make everything better. So to answer the question what is the difference between a grandmother and a granny when you look up the definition of granny your picture and the life you lived and the legacy you left is the definition #FamilyForever #WeAllWeGot #3311 #Whitfield -Tito Granny the news of your passing was very hard for me but it bought memories of you and I together…. I want to thank you for ALWAYS making sure I was never forgotten about. You always made me feel special like I was the only one in the room when I was with you and that was a special kind of love that only you posses. Rest easy and tell my momma, granny Mae and my sister hello and I love them. Love, Jedon To the Matriarch, thank you for leading this family. Thank you for providing us a place to sleep, a place to eat, a place to laugh, a place to learn, a place to grow. For memories we'll never forget, and times we wish could be repeated. Your mark is imprinted on each of our hearts, and that's something that will never be removed. May we always aspire to show love, compassion, and determination with the same heart that you did. And may we never forget the bonds you created in each of us...or that you can't have any ugly grandbabies Love you always Granny. Thank you for making the man I am today Robert Gipson II My great grandmother, whom my sister and I spent every weekend w as kids.. you were a part of molding us and looking after us and any child who needed your guidance or protection.. A staple in every life you touched, blood and water. A life completed as you return home to continue to watch over every last one of us. You fought strong, so rest now. We will all be together again one day… You Are Missed Already Beauty. “What is lovely never dies, but passes into another loveliness, star-dust or sea-foam, flower or winged air.” —Thomas Bailey Aldrich TAYLOR Hey Granny I will miss you so much! Thank you for taking care of me, making sure my hair was done, and letting us stay the weekends with you! You are truly loved! You rest now, and know that you have done everything and more for us! See you later granny! Spe’Shall I remember when I studder when I talked and I could not get my words out and my granny would say baby take your time and the words will come and they would and all through my life my granny was there to console me and show me love and I saw here do that not only for my but everyone that walked through her door she had a loving and caring heart for all the kids and spread love to everyone she came into contact with. -Robert Gipson I

D ONS F AMILY

There will never be enough words or enough details in stories than can ever describe exactly who you are to me. A Motherless child with a real Granny is no longer Motherless. The amount of unconditional love you gave was evidence that I was not in this world alone. In You, Granny, I had an advocate. One who spoke up when the silence of a child was too loud. One who stepped up when the actions of a child was misunderstood. One who stepped in when the care of the child was of lack. Granny, Thank You for Imparting the wisdom of how to be a great Mother. Thank You for remaining constant and consistent with emphasizing the importance of family, as we are living in the fruits of your labor of love everyday. May Your Legacy Continue to Live on in Everyone you Have encountered. As I continue to walk towards you until our great reunion, I will not say Good Bye. I will say I will see you later Granny. With Much Love, China

Granny.. You can go be with papa now.. I know he misses you.. You did everything you were supposed to do.. You didn’t leave no stone unturned or untouched.. We will continue to carry your name with pride.. Your legacy will go on for many generations to come .. Thank u for everything.. from the school shoes to the butt whoopings.. I’m sure I deserved them all.. I love u and will never let them forget who you were! #GRANNY #KelloggLegend #HowDoISayGoodbye #MissingYou #iWish #OneSweetDay #WishYouWereHere #TheWorldsGreatest #MyAngel -DonDon

T RIBUTE TO G RANNY We didn’t know that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same, It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone; For part of us went with you The day God called you Home. You left us peaceful memories, Your love is still our guide; And though we cannot see you, You are always at our side Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same; But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again, ---Keisha & Jay

Dear Granny, We really miss you and wish you were with us, but since God wants you too, I’ll keep your memories alive in me. Love- A’Layah

I may have only known you granny for 10 years but they were the best 10 years of my life!

Love, Hannah

My Granny, it seems like just yesterday you were teaching me how to tie my shoes all those years ago when my dad first dropped me off on Kellogg. As I look back and reflect on all you taught me as a boy, I can say that each and every lesson I learned back then has made me a better person today. You can rest easy knowing that you have made me into a strong, free-thinking, caring, and God fearing man. I love and miss you but I know you have gone home and your legacy lives on through all those you have touched. You, Papa and my Dad keep watching over me as I make it happen along this journey! -Rasul Granny, honestly, I have not completely processed your transition. I want to question God’s decision, but because I am a believer, I know His will must be done and it's all for a reason. I am truly not ready to let go. I do not want to change my daily routine. I still want to fix your breakfast, get you dressed and laugh and talk with you all day long. Our days and nights were well spent together. We talked about any and everything. I could write a book of all our memories together. I am thankful for the foundation you set for me and the entire family. I am a strong woman because I saw how strong you were all these years. I sit back and think of how we went to church together every Sunday and how you taught me the Lord’s Prayer at an early age. I have so many ways like you. You were one of my biggest supporters; I knew you would be at everything I participated in. You loved each one of us and it showed by all that you did for us. You made sure you defended each one of us, no matter what! Even at ninety- four you were still the granny wanting to make sure I had eaten and gotten enough rest. I hear your words now “Thank You For All You Do For Me, I Know You Are Tired Of Me!” Granny, I would fight fire for you and figure out how to treat the burns later! Taking care of you was an honor. All that you have done for me over the years, I could never repay you. You are forever mine! I will forever love you and cherish every late night and early morning we spent together. Oh how I am going to miss our rides in the car to get ice cream or you watching Alayah turn flips and Hannah painting your nails. I told Papa in 2006 I’d take care of you and I believe I kept my word to him! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the life you lived before me. Thank you for loving me and my girls unconditionally. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me to help take care of you. Although it is extremely hard, I promise to “just keep living” as you would say! Love You Always & Forever, PASSION

I am blessed to call you sister; a sister is a blessing who fills your heart with love. Without my big sister my life will be like a book without a page numbers the story Will go on, but it might feel out of order. My sister was the gift I never asked for, but always wanted. I always told her that when I grew up I wanted to be just like her, she was too caring about others, you go to her home you better be hungry, because she will make you eat, she was the mother when mom went to heaven. She was a sister you cannot have a grudge. She is as sweet as chocolate and smooth as fudge (haha). My dear big sister, I will miss seeing you on zoom singing to us. You will always be in my heart. Love you so much Your favorite (haha), Betty My dearest sister, the grace of God shined down on each of us when he blessed us with your presence. You will always be the most beautiful, graceful, strong and loving person that I know. You always gave without expecting anything in return and I thank God each and everyday that He blessed me with a sister like you. Everyone that you touched and that you loved could not help but to love you in return, because your love was so pure and your faith so strong. Only God knows how much I will miss you Sister. One thing that I know and that gives me such peace, is that you loved the Lord with your whole heart. You didn’t just talk the talk, you walked the walk and for that Sister God has given you your rest. No more mourning, no crying and no pain. Only peace, love and God’s great joy! I love you sister until we meet again. Your loving sister, Ethel “Doris” Lovett It’s hard to express my feelings and thoughts but one thing I know you are with the Lord. You was the first daughter you was a sister, mother ,granny, great granny and friend your legacy will live on I promise. Till we meet again i love you soooo much. Your sister/daughter, Nawana A Sisterly Tribute to my big sister, Alean… Although the Lord extended your three score and ten years that He promised to four score and 14 years (94 years) it still wasn’t long enough for me. I wish I could have had more time with you. You, being the oldest girl, was like a second mother to me, after all you had a child older than me and one the same age as me. I oftentimes had to remind you that I was your sister and not your child and you would say “well you are just like my child.” and that was that. I have always respected you as being my oldest sister. No matter how upset you would make me, I have always given you the respect of being the older sister. I have so many precious memories of you and your love for me. I always talk about the time when we came to Texas to celebrate your 90th birthday, you told your friend (several times I might add) that “this is my baby sister, she came all the way from California to see me” You always had a way of making me feel special. We lived in different states, but that still didn’t change the fact that we were sisters and we stayed connected. There was nothing that I wouldn’t do for you and nothing that you wouldn’t do for me. Your passing has left a hole in not only the family but in my heart. You were our Matriarch and you will be missed every day. I will always carry you in my heart. Rest on my sister and give Lorraine, Barbara and Juanita a kiss and hug for me. That goes for our brothers too…all 8 of them. Tell mama I feel her presence everyday her love is always in my heart and in everything I do. I try to keep this in mind in order to go on…Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. I love you Sister Your baby sister, Julia (or as you called me Julie. A Tribute to my Sister, Alean, I carry your heart, because I carry it in my heart. When we were growing up you always let us know that we had to do everything you told us to do because YOU were the big sister, and we did. You protected us because you were our “other” mother. You have helped all of us get our start in life. If we needed to stay at your house until we could get on our feet, you never turned us away. If we needed boyfriend or husband advice you were ready and willing to help us. You had an “open house” kind of mind when it came to your sisters. You took your role as the big sister to heart, sometimes too much….yes you were bossy (but in a good way and for our own good.) Isn’t it funny how I remember things growing up as sisters that I thought had faded from my minds? It’s not until days like today, when you are gone in the physical, that all the precious memories come to mind. The happy time seems even more happier because they are now treasured moments. And these treasured memories are what will keep you alive in my heart and my memory forever. Today I shed tears, not because I won’t see you again one day, but because I won’t have time to make new memories with you. You were a great big sister and I carry your heart, because I carry your heart in my heart where you will stay alive forever. I will always love you, Ester Deloris Tribute

To my big sister Alean you were my hero every since I knew you were my sister. I loved being with and around you I learned so much from you and we had babies together at the same time you had Karen and I had Joyce wish I could be there physically to celebrate your life. I love you so much

T O M Y F AMILY AND F RIENDS As I sit in heaven and watch you everyday I try to let you know with signs, I never went away

I hear you when you’re laughing and watch you as you sleep I even place my arms around you to calm you as you weep I see you wish the days away, begging to have me home So I try to send you signs, so you know you are not alone Don’t feel guilty that you have life that was denied to me Heaven is truly beautiful, just you wait and see So live your life, laugh again, enjoy yourself, be free Then I know with every breath you take, you’ll be taking one for me

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