Erma Mae Whorton

Erma Mae Whorton was born February 20, 1925, in Tolbert, Texas. She was the daughter of Bradley Martin and Gladys Leona (Sutton) Prentice. Erma moved at an early age with her family to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, where she was raised and attended school, graduating from Fort Sumner High School with the Class of 1943. She was married to Thomas Stevens Whorton on May 15, 1943, shortly after graduating in Fort Sumner. Three days after their marriage, Tom shipped out overseas to the India-Burma Theater during World War II. Upon Tom's honorable discharge, the couple established their home in the Tucumcari, New Mexico, area where they raised their family. During this time Tom was the foreman for the Triple M Ranch and Erma was a homemaker. She would start out her day preparing breakfast for the ranch hands and then clean, iron and wash clothes prior to preparing lunch and dinner. The children had nearly a fifty-mile ride to and from school each day. In 1963, Tom and Erma relocated the family to Osage County when they resided on the Triple M ranch near Wild Horse and Prue. While living in Prue, Erma served as a custodian for the Prue Schools for many years. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Prue and the Homemakerís Club. Erma would leave this message to her family and friends,"count your blessings, enjoy life, and don't judge others. Be satisfied with what you have and live within your means." She was proud of raising her three hard working and honest children which all made her very happy. She loved all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and considered herself blessed by living close to them. Some of her fondest memories included: keeping Sarrah when she was little; birthday dinners and Christmas with the family; and also taking care of Jason and Tracy when they were little. She often said that her parents and her husband's parents had the greatest effect on her life. She enjoyed country and gospel music. Her hobbies included crafts, tole painting, huck weaving, sewing and cooking. Erma enjoyed her trips to Branson with her brothers and their wives, her family, her grandkids and her friends, Edith, Kathleen, Patsy, Helen and Evarae, and also family dinners. Survivors are her three children Tom Whorton and wife Patti of Prue, Oklahoma. Peggy Troutman and husband, Bobby of Prue, Oklahoma, and Steve Whorton of Prue, Oklahoma; three grandchildren Jason and wife Amanda, Tracy and wife Tiffany, and Sarrah; eight great-grandchildren: Eric, Clay, C. J., Jackson, Austin, Emily, Ashlyn and Gracie; brother, Melvin and wife Velma Prentice of Buffalo Gap, Texas; sister, Marilyn Allen of Big Springs, Texas: two brothers-in-law Rusty Whorton and wife Jeannie of Temple, Texas and Clyde Whorton of Dumas, Texas; sisters-in-law, Mary Edwards of Lubbock, Texas, Betty Upton of Melrose, New Mexico, Emmalee Prentice of San Angelo, Texas and Vivian Prentice of Rolla, Missouri. Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Whorton; father, Bradley Martin Prentice; mother, Gladys Leona Prentice; four brothers, Ralph Prentice and wife Louise, Ross Prentice and wife Olabel, Floyd Prentice and Neil Prentice. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, October 18, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Prue with Rev. Garry McDevitt and Rev. Sherman Jaquess officiating.. Musical selections will be provided by Cornbread Country. Serving as pallbearers are her grandsons Coleton Kulla, C. J. Troutman, Clay Troutman, Eric Troutman, Tracy Troutman, and Jason Whorton. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com. Burial will be at the Prairie View Cemetery in Prue under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.