Mary Elizabeth (Wilson) Whiting

Mary Elizabeth Whiting, our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully passed away on March 15, 2019. Mary was born to the late Saul Thomas Wilson, Sr. and Hattie Belle Wilson in Enterprise, AL.

Mary was affectionately known as "Honey" "Mamma Honey" and "Maima" to friends and family. She attended Tuskegee High School, Tuskegee, AL and graduated from Carver High School, Union Springs, AL. As a child, Mary was an accomplished soprano soloist and often sang solos in church.

Mary went on to attend Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education with a Major in English/Language Arts and a Minor in Social Studies. While attending Alabama State University, the United States Department of the Interior recruited her to teach for the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Office of Indian Education Programs. She taught Language Arts to Native American students who attended elementary through high school on the Navajo Reservation.

She began her career as an elementary school teacher at Lake Valley School in Crownpoint, NM. She went on to teach at Twin Lakes School and Chuska Boarding School in Tohatchi, NM. Mary then went on to teach at Fort Wingate Elementary School, Fort Wingate, NM and shortly thereafter, Fort Wingate High School in Fort Wingate, NM.

While at Fort Wingate High School, Mary was promoted to Education Specialist and Mentor Teacher for the English/Language Arts Department. She retired as the Curriculum Specialist and Supervisor for the English/Language Arts and Social Studies Departments.

During her tenure at Fort Wingate High School, Mary was voted Fort Wingate High School Teacher of the Year for five consecutive years by the District Area Education Agency as well as Model Teacher and Demonstration teacher for Fort Wingate High School by the District Education Area Agency.

Mary was featured in Ebony Magazine for her accomplishments as an Outstanding Teacher for Minority Students. Mary also taught workshops to teachers throughout the Navajo Nation. She demonstrated her knowledge and acumen in the art of language and communication by writing a monthly newsletter column for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Educational Division.

Mary's love of teaching was only superseded by her love for family and friends. She met and married the love of her life, Lucas Whiting in 1964 and they remained lovingly connected until the day he made his journey home in 2005.

Known for her sharp intellect, quick wit, generous spirit, infectious laugh and keen sense of fun and humor, she frequently held telephone conversations with family which centered on reminiscing about childhood exploits and adventures. Mary cherished spending time with her children and her grandchild. She had a knack for showing her family unconditional love, even while she was gently but firmly correcting them with her extensive vocabulary and uncanny ability to paint a clear picture as to why "Mom was always right."

Mary enjoyed writing poetry, shopping excursions, drawing, painting, and telling others about her family. She also took pride in seeing former students and she relished in their accomplishments, for they too, are part of her extended family.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Lucas Whiting; brothers, Saul T. Wilson, Jr., DVM and Benjamin J. Wilson, Sr.; sisters, Hattie W. Daniels and Ruth Chisholm as well as her parents, Saul T. Wilson, Sr. and Hattie Belle Wilson.

Survivors include her brother, Sherald Greene Wilson, Sr. (Lois), Syracuse, New York; son, Robert D. Whiting, Albuquerque, NM; Tori Lucette Whiting, Las Vegas, NM; daughter, June Saulece Whiting-Cobb (Curtis); granddaughter, Amber Nicole Whiting-Osei (Kwesi), Wilrijk, Belgium and great grandson, Mensah Saul Osei, Wilrijk, Belgium.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. at FRENCH – Westside. A Processional to the Santa Fe National Cemetery will be start at 9:00 a.m. With a Graveside to follow at 10:15 a.m. at 501 N. Guadalupe St.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of Mary Elizabeth Whiting to:

American Indian Educator Mentor Program

University of New Mexico College of Education via the UNM Foundation

#2 Woodward Center 700 Lomas Blvd. NE Ste 108 Albuquerque, NM 87102