Carrie Jane Whaley's Obituary
CARRIE JANE WHALEY LOFTIS
Carrie Jane Whaley Loftis joined her beloved parents, Lila Lou Peeples Whaley and William P. “Pete” Whaley, on May 3, 2026. Carrie Jane, named after both her grandmothers, was born on January 29, 1935, in Dallas, Texas.
During the World War II years, while her father was serving in Europe, Carrie Jane lived with her mother at her grandmother’s Tehuacana, Texas ranch, near Waco. Mama Carrie, as her grandmother was known to all, became one of the most important influences on Carrie Jane’s life.
After earning a music degree from Vassar College, Carrie Jane married J. Stewart Loftis, M.D., and raised their two daughters, Amy and Audrey, in Odessa, Texas. Carrie Jane returned to the Park Cities after her divorce in 1973, to be near her family. Her passion for music, particularly classical music, lasted her whole life. Despite being an accomplished pianist in her own right, she never relished the spotlight and found greater satisfaction teaching and accompanying young musicians as they discovered their own talents.
She dedicated much of her life to classical music’s promotion and preservation in Dallas. She was a proud, longtime member of Ye Merry Olde Players musical group where she performed at corporate events and nursing homes, alongside dear friends, including Sarah Chalk and Brownie Shytles. Her other cherished music nonprofits included the Pro Musica Club and the Van Katwijk Club.
Apart from music, Carrie Jane had two character-defining passions. First, was the expression of her fathomless love for her grandchildren by enriching their cultural education. She spared no expense when enrolling them in art and music lessons when they would stay with her during summer breaks. That passion also expressed itself at Christmas and birthdays when she gifted items that, in her estimation, would enrich an 8-year old’s mind on eclectic topics like Native American history, Soviet men’s choirs, Chinese calligraphy, medieval tapestry, and traditional Mexican weaving patterns. Her second passion, which expressed more quietly though no less fervently, was caring for family and friends in need. She had particular care for the otherwise overlooked, routinely shopping for, chauffeuring, attending to, and encouraging the elderly, sick, or lonely.
No review of Carrie Jane’s life would be complete without acknowledging the special relationship she had with her brother, Lawrence Whaley, and her cousins, Roddy Peeples, Charlotte King, and Gray Peeples. Carrie Jane enjoyed decades of deepest love and affection from all of them. Together, they have been some of El Fenix’s longest standing and most enthusiastic patrons.
Carire Jane is survived by her daughter, Amy Farrior (husband Edward) of Tampa, Florida, grandson Evan Farrior (wife Alexandra), great-grandchildren Anna and Elias, of Dallas; granddaughter Emily Farrior (husband Jesse Tate) and great-grandchild Lila Tate, of Tampa; and Elizabeth “Bess” Farrior of Dallas.
She is also survived by her daughter Audrey Rogers (husband Jeff) of Fort Worth, Texas, and their daughter Diana Rogers of Dallas.
In addition to her immediate family, Carrie Jane is survived by her brother, Lawrence Whaley (wife Mary Kay), also of Dallas.
The family wants to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Carrie Jane’s faithful caregivers while she was a resident at The Tradition Lovers Lane: Victoria Adebayo, Martha Hardman, and Jackie Onyango. These amazing women were Carrie Jane’s constant companions and the source of so much love, patience, and understanding. They will forever remain cherished members of our family.
Carrie Jane’s funeral service and reception will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., at the Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75243.
Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Southern Methodist University (https://smu.edu/give-now; 214-768-3739), or the Pro Musica Music Club of Dallas (214-357-2744).
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