Alma Whigham

Alma Leona Lee was born in Lee’s Chapel, Texas to Lewis and Ajarah Lee, the thirteenth of 15 children. Her father was the pastor of Lee’s Chapel, a town named after the family. At the age of four, the family moved to Naples, Texas where she united with Gethsemane Baptist Church. She attended Gethsemane School from kindergarten through 12th grade. She attended Butler College in Tyler, Texas, and later completed her bachelor’s degree at Jarvis College in Hawkins, Texas. Alma moved to Los Angeles, California in 1952 to live with her older sister Lelia Lee Blake. In 1953, while applying for a nursing aide job, Alma met the love of her life, William Lee Whigham. The couple was married in 1953 at Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church by Pastor A.R. Billingsley. Shortly thereafter, the couple welcomed their firstborn son, Stanley Tyrone Whigham. Three years later, The Whighams received a special blessing, handsome twin boys, Ronnie Lee Whigham and Lonnie Lee Whigham! The family soon moved to Sun Village in Little Rock, California. To sweeten the deal, seven years later a beautiful daughter was born, Saundra Denise Whigham. The Whigham family made their home in the Antelope Valley for over 50 years, living in Little Rock, Palmdale, and Lancaster. During their stay, they were members of First Missionary Baptist Church, under Rev. Henry Hearns. They later joined New Hope Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Peterson. She sang in the Adult Choir. She served on the Usher Board for many years. She loved to cut them corners in her royal blue and white uniform. She served as the secretary of the Usher’s Department, and later the president. In addition, she enjoyed training new ushers, making sure they knew how to serve and how to cut them corners! She later served on the Mother’s Board prior to relocating to Atlanta, Georgia. Alma was active in her community. She joined the Lancaster graduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Whigham began her teaching career in Head Start. After earning her teaching credential, she taught kindergarten for 10 years, first grade for 2 years, and second grade for over eighteen years. Her 30+ years as an educator were spent in Keppel Union School District at Alpine Elementary School, in Little Rock, now known as Pearblossom, California. Alma LOVED teaching Reading and Phonics. She was great at teaching and would often tutor students who needed extra help. Because of the span of her career, she was able to teach the children of some of her prior students! Above all, she loved spending time with her family. She loved to read James Patterson’s novels, going to the movies solving crossword puzzles, and completing word search puzzles. Alma also loved to cook. Her favorites included German chocolate cake, sweet potato pies, fried chicken, and tacos. Rumor has it she made the best peanut brittle, in the Antelope Valley! Alma loved to go to the gym and work out until she was no longer able to. She loved watching the Lakers with her sister, Imogene, because she had played basketball during her high school years. Alma departed this life in the early morning of Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in Stockbridge, Georgia. She and her husband of over 63 years were sitting together, watching the evening news when God called her name. Preceding her in death, were her mother and father, and each of her brothers and sisters, Ollie Mae, Sadelia, Edward, Della, Mary, Raymond, Lelia, Imogene, Warren G., Gentral Overton, Katie, Burrell, Ada, and Walter. Alma leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory, her husband, William Whigham; three sons, Stanley (Karen) Whigham of El Dorado Hills, California, Lonnie (Sheila) Whigham of Snellville, Georgia, and Ronnie (Sabrena) Whigham of Palmdale, California; one daughter, Saundra Whigham of Stockbridge, Georgia; five grandsons, Jason (Jen) Whigham, Jermaine (Christina) Whigham, Cameron Whigham, Ronnie (Andrea) Whigham II, & Kendall Whigham; seven granddaughters, Janaye Whigham, Shemeia (Mark) Whigham-Davis, Shemaria (Patrick) Cunningham, Ajarah Mitchell, Sapphira Whigham, Brandee Bowie, Shakira Whigham; two great-grandsons, Ronnie Whigham III, and Micah Davis; one great-granddaughter, Samara Haffner; three sisters-in-law, Bertha Whigham of Dover Downs, Maryland; Nettie Mae Lee of Compton, California, & Roberta Lee of Los Angeles, California; countless nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.

Alma Whigham

October 26, 1926 - May 18, 2016