Dolores ‘Josephine’ Whitley, 78, of Abilene, passed away Friday, May 26, 2017 surrounded with the love of her family and friends.Funeral service was held on May 29, 2017, at Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at Elmwood Memorial Park.
She was born on September 19, 1938 in Port O’Connor, Texas. She met the love of her life, Ray Whitley, while playing softball. They were married on December 18, 1954 in Port Lavaca, Texas. At the age of 19, she traveled to Japan to be with her husband while he was stationed in the Air Force. During that time in Japan, Dolores and Ray gave birth to their oldest child Cynthia. They moved to Abilene in July 1977 from Kansas City after Ray retired from the Air Force.
Dolores liked to go watch the Cooper Cougars play football on Friday nights, being an active season ticket holder for 40 years. She also liked to watch the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. On her free time, she enjoyed going shopping, taking care of her grandkids and spending time with her sisters.
She is survived by her husband, Ray Whitley of Abilene; daughters, Cynthia Ann Baker and Bruce of Abilene and Kimberly Sue Braden and husband Jimmy of Abilene; brothers, William Anthony Ragusin and wife Margaret of Port O’Connor, TX, Joseph Robert Ragusin of Mesquite, TX, Samuel Ragusin of Port O’Connor, TX, Raymond Charles Ragusin and Sharon of Matthews, NC and Richard Lee Ragusin and wife Ofelia of Port Lavaca, TX; sisters, Sylvia Elizabeth Ragusin of Port O’Connor, TX, Mary Helen Holland and husband Frankie of San Antonio, TX, Catherine Ann LeFrances and husband Donald of Everett, WA and Irene Rose Silguero and husband Ildefonso of Charlotte, NC; two granddaughters, Courtney Renee Baker of Abilene and Amber Nicole Coonrod and Corbin of Abilene; and one grandson, Ashton Andrew Braden of Abilene.
Dolores is preceded in death by her loving movther, Elvira Ramos Ragusin of Port O’Connor, TX.
Honorary pallbearers included Jimmy Braden, Ashton Braden, William Ragusin, Joseph Ragusin, Samuel Ragusin, Raymond Ragusin and Richard Ragusin.
The family would like to thank Dr. Melvnk and the Texas Oncology of Abilene, along with Hospice of the Big Country.
