Lora Whiteley

  Lora Whiteley was called home by her Savior Jesus Christ on January 25, 2026. She was born November 21, 1935 in Royal, Iowa, to the late Ruth (Walker) and Edwin Steele. Lora was a woman of kindness, faith, grace and a heart that loved deeply. She was also compassionate, easy to talk to and blessed with a wonderful sense of humor. 

  She married the love of her life, Royce, on February 4, 1961. She was a devoted, supportive, and loving wife, and they lived an adventurous life together. Lora loved the simple joys of life: reading, puzzles, enchiladas, marshmallow Peeps, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and her favorite color was blue. Her hobbies included watching old TV shows, reading late into the night, macramé, sewing, and traveling. She loved her family and the house was always full of kids.

  After she and Royce hosted several foreign exchange students through the years, they opened their own exchange student business so they could help more students come to America and experience living in Texas. Even though her travels had already taken her to Mexico and Israel, coordinating students from abroad took her to the Netherlands, England, Spain, Germany, Brazil, and China. She embraced each new experience and the lessons that came with each of them.

  When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she replied, “I once was a beautiful young lady who got married and raised six children, and then turned into a ‘cranky old lady,’” she said jokingly. Yet her greatest achievement, which she cherished deeply, was staying married for fifty-eight and a half years. That lifelong commitment stood as a testimony to perseverance, faith, and love.

  Lora worked many jobs, but her favorite was being an appraiser for the state of Texas. That career began in 1984 and she retired in 1997 after 13 years of service. At the age of 72, she returned back to work from 2007 to 2013 for six more years, helping support her husband Royce’s vision of starting a discipleship school. Though the school never came to fruition, Lora loved her job and getting to work from home.

  Her faith was not only personal—it was active. Lora served with a couple of other ladies for several years doing jail ministry at the Lufkin jail. Together, they held weekly church services for incarcerated women, coordinating music, testimonies, and teaching. This ministry brought her great fulfillment and reflected the love of Christ to so many. Lora loved her job, her family, and her Lord, and she would say the good in her life far outweighed the bad. Her faith was rooted in the promises of Scripture and the simple truth she carried from childhood: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

  She was preceded in death by her husband, Royce; son, Kevin Whiteley; brothers, Charles Steele and John Steele; and her parents.

  Survivors include sons: Ronnie Silvia; Chris Whiteley; Robin Whiteley (Ana); Chad Whiteley (Maria); and daughter, Lorrie McMillan (Tom). Grandchildren include: Aaron Silvia; Jason Pate; Kristina Whiteley (fiancé, Caleb Hall); Seth McMillan (Lindsey); Courtney Catalani (Justin); Victoria Whiteley; Leia and Cali Whiteley. She also had six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

  The family would like to thank the staff of Vitas Hospice Inpatient Unit for the loving and incredible care Lora received.

  A visitation will begin one hour prior to her funeral service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the funeral will begin at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Galbreaith Pickard Hilltop Chapel, in Willow Park, Texas. Burial will be at Whitehouse Cemetery in Lufkin, Texas on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., which would have been their 65th wedding anniversary.

  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lora Whiteley to: Franklin Graham Ministries (c/o: Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607) or International Fellowship of Christian and Jews (P.O.B. 96105, Washington DC, 20090).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Galbreaith Pickard Hilltop Chapel. https://www.galbreaithpickard.com/