Myra Elaine Whitlow

     On­­­­­ Saturday, January 9, 2016, Myra Elaine Foreman Whitlow, the eldest daughter of Mike Morris (Jack) and Helen Prejean Foreman entered eternal life. She was born on June 4, 1929, in Lafayette, Louisiana. She attended Central Myrtle Place Elementary School and one year at Lafayette High School before the family moved to Sulphur. She was a member of 4-H Club, Home Economics Club and the Whirlwinds Drill Squad, Henning Memorial Methodist Church and Methodist Youth Fellowship. After graduating from Sulphur High School in 1946, she attended Vincent Business College in Lake Charles. She was employed as a bookkeeper at Wilson Motor Company from 1946-1949.

     On January 14, 1949 Lawson Dorwin Whitlow of Magnolia, Arkansas and Ms. Foreman were wed at the Henning Methodist Church. They were blessed with two daughters, Cheryl Elaine and Vicki Eileen. Their family moved to Lake Charles where Mrs. Whitlow served as room mother and was active in the PTA at Henry Heights and Brentwood Elementary Schools and LaGrange Junior and Senior High Schools. She attended University United Methodist Church where she was president of the Stonerollers Class and member of the Nell Hayes UMW Circle. Mrs. Whitlow was recognized by UMW for her service as the Sunday School Secretary.

     Her career in the field of insurance began in 1951 when she was temporarily employed by her uncle at Mayo Foreman Agency in Sulphur. She worked at the Woosley Agency, Glatt Agency and Holly Heard Agency in Lake Charles before retiring in 1991. Mrs. Whitlow served as President of Insurance Women of Lake Charles and was recognized as Insurance Woman of the Year, appointed District Director for the National Association of Insurance Women(OK, AR,TX and LA), received the “You Make the Difference” Award from the National Association of Insurance Women in New York City. Mrs. Whitlow was elected to serve on the NAIW Long Range Planning and Training Committee and served a six year term. She attended the Insurance Institute of America and earned the designation of Certified Professional Insurance Woman(CPIW).

     She was on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Louisiana Safety Council and participated in the Special Planning Commission for the Mayor’s Armed Forces Program. Serving under Commander Joe Hill, she provided assistance from her DAR Chapter to plan the first Military Ball in Lake Charles. She received an Arkansas Travelers Award from Gov. Bill Clinton and was appointed to serve on the Louisiana Governor’s Commission on Women’s Affairs by Gov. Edwin Edwards.

     Mrs. Whitlow actively served three terms as Kayouche District secretary for the Camp Fire Girls. She was Past Matron of Calcasieu Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in which she also served as District Deputy and was appointed Grand Chaplain of the Louisiana Grand Chapter. She received her 50 year membership certificate in 2015. She served as Mother Advisor and board member of Lake Charles Assembly #9 International Order of Rainbow for Girls, as well as, District Coordinator of Southwest Louisiana. She earned the merit badge for the “House of Gold.”

     Mrs. Whitlow was elected Royal Matron of the Order of Amaranth of Lake Charles Court and served as Grand Royal Matron for Louisiana. She was appointed Supreme Charity for the Supreme Council of the Order of Amaranth and traveled to the United Kingdom and over 20 State Divisions in America. She published the “Crown and Sword” for three years and served as Secretary for the Lucky Diamonds and Leprechauns Honor Club. For her service as Grand Secretary of Order of Amaranth in Louisiana, she was named Grand Secretary Emeritus.

     She attended the annual Hoffpauir Family reunion for years at Indian Bayou, LA, and served on the board of directors. She also served as eulogist for their annual memorial service. She was elected President of the Association in 1999.

     Mrs. Whitlow served as Chapter Regent of Calcasieu Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1997-2000. During her term, the National Society DAR approved the placement of a bronze grave marker for American patriot Thomas Hoffpauir, her Revolutionary War ancestor. The association made arrangements for the marker to be placed in the front circle drive of the Indian Bayou Methodist Cemetery.   The large dedication ceremony was held on Labor Day in 2000 by the LSDAR state officers.

     She documented two additional lineal ancestors Michel Meaux and Edward Foreman as American patriots. She served on numerous committees for Lineal Research, Volunteer Information Specialist, DAR Indexing and Preservation, Membership, and Genealogical Research and designed the first website for Calcasieu and Louisiana Bayou Chapters in Louisiana. She was affiliated with the Louisiana Bayou Chapter, elected LSDAR State Organizing Secretary, and served as Chairman of the Flag of the USA, Lewis and Clark Expedition, and Louisiana Purchase Celebration. She was a charter member of the Cameo Club serving as Vice President. She was Secretary/Treasurer for the State Officers’ Club and Past Regents’ Club. She attended NSDAR Continental Congress in Washington, DC twice as a delegate.

     Mrs. Whitlow served as Louisiana Bayou Chapter Vice Regent, Treasurer, Secretary and several terms as Registrar attaining chapter recognition for outstanding achievement. In 2012, the chapter reorganized the Fort Atkinson Society of the National Society for the Children of the American Revolution with 30 charter members whose applications were completed by her in record time. She served as Senior Organizing Treasurer and Senior State Registrar. In 2015, she received her 20 year membership certificate and the coveted Martha Washington Award from Oliver Pollock Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution for her dedication and tireless service.

     She was a member and past officer of the SWLA Genealogical Society and supported the SWLA Genealogical Library. Mrs. Whitlow enjoyed her service as a Life Member of the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, honorary member of the Review Club of Lake Charles, member of Mended Hearts, Inc., The Rig Raider Dive Club and the Hawaiian Social Club at Fort Polk with her husband.

     Mrs. Whitlow was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles and served on Missions Committee, Chairman of the Mary Martha United Methodist Women, DMA Club, and Prayer Team. She attended Bible study groups and Cursillo Retreat.

     She is preceded in death by her parents Mike and Helen Foreman, her husband Lawson Dorwin Whitlow, son-in-law Joseph L. Clark, sister-in-law Clarice Whitlow McWilliams and brother-in-law Wayne Hayes of Magnolia, AR.

     Her daughters are extremely grateful for her legacy of faith, love, and dedication to her fellowman. She has left volumes of her memories, those written and those told, for her family’s posterity. Her love for people and genuine interest in them was evident when she first met a stranger. Within minutes she would know them and their “people.” Every fellowship, organization, or institution in which she held membership benefited from her outstanding vision and leadership. She was gifted with many talents she eagerly shared with others. Whether she was sewing many beautiful clothes for her family or completing genealogy charts for prospective members of DAR, SAR, and CAR, she pursued the task with diligence and selflessness. Her unbounding energy, quick sense of humor, and passion for life serves as a standard of living and inspiration for her children and grandchildren.

     Mrs. Whitlow is survived by her daughters Cheryl Gott(George) of Lake Charles and Vicki Clark of Port Arthur, TX. She has five grandchildren: Chelsea Gott Moffett(Scott) of Lake Charles, Lauren Gott of Los Angeles, Benjamin Gott of Lake Charles, Allison Clark Thompson(Jerry) and Adam Clark(Jennifer) of Groves, TX. She is survived by eight great grandchildren: Bailey Israel, Jace Warren, Whit Moffett, Airman First Class Tyler Thompson(Ashten), Megan Thompson, Gabrielle Clark, Charlie Clark, and Scarlette Clark. She is also survived by a sister Geraline Foreman Bumgardner(Stanley) of Kerrville, TX, a sister-in-law Helen Whitlow Hayes of Magnolia, AR and many nieces and nephews.

     Sincere appreciation is extended to her loving caregivers Mary Guillory and Linda Patrick, the caring staff of Amedisys, and technician Steve Briggs with Medtronics. Thank you to Drs. Christian Romero, William Bailey, Francis Bride, King White, Juan Ramirez and David Drez for their care and compassion. The family expresses appreciation to the 8th floor nursing staff of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for their many kindnesses and professional care.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 14, 2016 at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM   Thursday, January 14, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, LA. Graveside services will be at the Indian Bayou Methodist Cemetery. Reverend Weldon Bares and Reverend Craig Davis will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church 812 Kirkman St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 and Wounded Warriors Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate.

"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him' – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God" (1 Cor. 2:9 NRSV)