Dorothy (Pawlak) Whiddon

Dorothy Marie (Pawlak) Whiddon, 87, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at her Chappell Hill home with family at her side.

Visitation will be Friday, May 11th from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary recited at 7 p.m. in Brenham Memorial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 12th at 10 a.m., in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Father Jozef Musiol, SDS, JCD as celebrant. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Dorothy was born July 28, 1930 in Chappell Hill, Texas to Stanley and Lucy (Dekowski) Pawlak. She attended school in Chappell Hill and graduated from Brenham High. After graduation, Dorothy continued her education at a business school in Houston and upon completion, began working at Exxon Corporation. Deciding she enjoyed the small-town life, Dorothy returned to Chappell Hill to become the owner/operator of the Whiddon Exxon Station operating it for approximately 30 years. After the closing of Whiddon Exxon, Dorothy began working with her sister, Bibiana, at the family grocery store, Pawlak Grocery, until her sister’s declining health forced its closing.

Dorothy was a pillar of caring and loving strength for her family. On February 12, 1959, she was united in marriage to W.E.”Bill” Whiddon in Chappell Hill and remained his devoted wife until his death in 2014. Dorothy was a caregiver to the family. Not only was she a mother to her four children, but during her lifetime she served as the primary caretaker for several family members as each member’s health declined. She also was an excellent cook and hosted countless family gatherings over the years. She ensured everyone in attendance had plenty to eat and felt right at home. She was fun loving and quick-witted. She enjoyed dancing, listening to classic country and polka music, and taking drives throughout the countryside. Dorothy was also a life-long member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and a member of the Altar Rosary Society.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant daughter Mary, and sister Bibiana Pawlak. Surviving loving family includes: son William Whiddon Jr., son and daughter-in-law Johnnie and Carol Whiddon, daughter and son-in-law Terri and Eric Ellison and son Robert Whiddon; grandchildren Garrett, Nolan, and Mitchell Ellison, Ryan (wife Aimee) Ladewig, Angela (husband Jim) Baker, Luke Ladewig, Janna Haevischer (husband Ryan) and numerous great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers will be Eric, Garrett, Nolan, and Mitchell Ellison, Ryan Ladewig, and Clifford Henze. Honorary pallbearers are David Stegent, Virginia Malinowski, and Mattie Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church or M.D. Anderson Hospital.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX. 979.836.3611 Visit www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com for on-line guest registration.