Charles "Bear" Lee Whatley

November 21, 1933 - April 16, 2022

Charles “Bear” Lee Whatley, age 88 of Garland, Texas went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 16, 2022. Bear was born on November 21, 1933, to JB Whatley and Velma Whatley in Belton, Texas. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas where he and his brother Bubba Whatley were star football players. Bear’s occupation was a brick layer, and he built many residential homes and commercial buildings around the Dallas area, including the John F. Kennedy Memorial, in downtown Dallas. After retiring from the brick laying business, Bear was fortunate to find a new venture to occupy his time and began managing a small farm and cattle operation in Plano Texas for a dear and beloved family friend. Bear quickly fell in love with taking care of the cattle and the land and poured his heart into the operation and treated it as his own. In 1953, he married Frances Lagow, and they made their home in the Garland area. Also, in 1953, Brother Jack Hyles of Miller Road Baptist Church was out soul winning one evening and knocked on their door and led Bear and Frances, and Bear’s brother Bubba, to the Lord. Bear and Frances became active members of Miller Road Baptist Church and were then charter members of Lavon Drive Baptist Church in Garland, Texas, in 1960. Bear and Frances had 2 children, Daughter, Susan Pittman and Son, Scott Whatley. Sadly, Frances Whatley passed away on October 24, 1997, at age 61, Bubba Whatley passed away on Resurrection Sunday in 2014 at age 82, and Susan Pittman passed away on April 18, 2017, at age 62, all of which went home to be their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In 1999 Bear married Barbara Smith and for the past 23 years they had a wonderful and sweet marriage. Bear is survived by his wife Barbara Whatley, Son Scott Whatley & Daughter-in-Law Victoria Whatley, Son-in-Law David Pittman, Son Steve Smith and Daughter-in-Law Kelly Smith, Son Tim Smith, Son Mark Smith, Daughter Tammy Laster, and Daughter-in-Law Cindy Smith. Bear has 12 Grandchildren: Clay Whatley, Brittany & Lukas Wigington, Jeremy & Mandy Pittman, Hannah & Logan Collins, Morgan & Travis Randolph, James Laster, Jessica Laster, and Jana Laster.Bear has 8 Great Grandchildren: Evvy Wigington, Cameron Whatley, Micah Pittman, Micayla Pittman, Malachi Pittman, Easton Randolph, Brody Randolph, and Emmy Collins. On October 5, 2020, Bear and all of us suffered a difficult loss from our family with the passing of Son, Harry Smith Jr. at age 63 who went home to be with his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ and we all miss him very much. Bear was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and introduced his sons to the heritage of hunting, fishing, and the outdoor life, early in their life. He taught us safety and survival in the woods and to love and respect God’s creation. He always encouraged us to share the passion for the great outdoors with others. Bear was an active soul winner with a burden for lost souls. We believe he led hundreds of people to the Lord. And, in his own words, he would often describe leading his Daughter-in-Law Victoria Whatley to the Lord to be one of the sweetest moments of his soul winning ministry. One of Bear’s favorite scripture versus was Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” He prayed daily for the Lord to guide him to someone he could tell about Jesus. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him,” Bear always said “People have the time, if you will take the time to tell them about Jesus.” Bear leaves his loved ones with unforgettable memories and loving stories. He will be sincerely missed by his loving family, devoted friends, and all the wonderful individuals who knew and loved him. Pallbearers will be: Steve Smith, Tim Smith, Clay Whatley, Red Merrell, Cary Coleman, and Mark Harwell. Visitation Service: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Lavon Drive Baptist Church “Hayes Center”: 1520 Lavon Dr, Garland, TX 75040. Funeral Service: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Lavon Drive Baptist Church “Hayes Center”: 1520 Lavon Dr, Garland, TX 75040. The funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Gary Coleman. Funeral arrangements and graveside service for Charles “Bear” Lee Whatley have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, immediately following the funeral. The graveside service will be conducted by Pastor David Pittman. Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery can be reached at (972) 238-7111. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to “Silver State Baptist Youth Camp,” which is a ministry of “First Baptist Church of Englewood.” http://www.ssbyc.com/donations Funeral arrangements for Charles Lee Whatley have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.