R.L. Whitmire passed away Sunday, December 18, 2011, in Sherman, Texas at the age of 76 years 2 months and 4 days. He was born on October 14, 1935 in Coleman, OK to William Ernest and Bessie Eunice (Lawson) Whitmire. R. L. married Arleta Marie Nelson on November 4, 1954 in Durant, OK. R.L. and Arleeta’s love for singing and music played a major role in their lives. R.L. enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting with his family and friends. His hobbies were gardening, wood working, entertaining, and in all his years he never met a stranger. He was a member of Hopewell Freewill Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife Arleeta of the home, one daughter Vickie Marie Gould and her husband Kenny of Rose Hill, KS; one son Roger Lynn Whitmire and significant other Arminta Lester of Coleman, five grandchildren Shawna Goodwin and husband Philip of Stillwater, OK. Michael Rich of Rose Hill, KS, Jamie Sissell and husband Brian of Wichita, KS, Sharon Whitmire of Sherman, TX and Ross Whitmire of Coleman, eight great grandchildren, Miranda Rich, Korbin Rich, Hope Goodwin, Ashtyn Rich, Brock Thomas, Karsyn Rich, Braydon Thomas and Briant Sissell, four sisters Mary Simpson of Oklahoma City, OK, Bobbie Phelps and husband Bill of Silo, OK, Lois Finn and husband Jerry of Denton, TX, and LaVerne Barnes and husband Lindsey of Bristow, OK, two brothers Doyle Whitmire and wife Grace of Durant, OK and James Whitmire of Ft. Worth, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents William Ernest and Bessie Eunice (Lawson) Whitmire, daughter Linda Dawn Whitmire and son William Lee Whitmire and one brother Ernest “Junior” Whitmire and two other siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Hopewell Baptist Church with Bro. Randy Tadlock officiating. Family hour will be held 6-8PM, Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel. Interment will be at Center Hill Cemetery with Michael Rich, Wayne Whitmire, Ray Whitmire, David Whitmire, Randy Simpson, and Chad Whitmire serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Delton Dean, Buster Renfroe, Jerry Renfroe, Kimmy Redden, Charlie Bridges, William Whitmire, Brandon Welborn and Brent Welborn. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service Durant.