Jennifer Hughes Whatton
Jennifer Hughes Whatton, 68, of Houston, TX, passed away on May 9, 2015 in Houston, TX. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose kindness, compassion, warmth and laughter will be missed by all those who knew her.
She was born in December 1946 in Sugarland, TX to Joe Hughes and Dorothy Elskes. She graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, TX in 1965 and subsequently enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 1969. In the summer following graduation, she married the love of her life and best friend, Charles “Charlie” Whatton, and they have enjoyed life, side by side, over the past 46 years. She moved throughout the United States to Germany and back with Charlie while he was on active duty in the Army, and eventually settled in Houston, TX where the two built a successful dental practice in Clear Lake until their retirement in 2011. It was there that Jennifer and Charlie welcomed their two children and four grandchildren into the world, and showed each of them every day what it meant to be a loving family and strong role models.
Jennifer is survived by her husband, Charles Whatton; children, Amy Whatton Throm, Jeff Throm, William Whatton and Lauren Powell Whatton; grandchildren, Sydney Throm, Ellie Throm, Audrey Throm and Jeffrey “J.J.” Throm; and beloved dog Bella as well as many extended family and friends.
Jennifer will be remembered for her love and dedication to her family and friends, whose happiness and well-being was always first priority. She had a passion for cooking, gardening, sewing, quilting, sculpting, drawing and painting, and enjoyed sharing those gifts and passions with her family and friends whenever possible. Throughout the years, she could always be found on the sidelines or in the audience cheering on her children, grandchildren and their friends during any activity, large or small, with infectious enthusiasm and spirit. Most of all, she enjoyed travelling the world with Charlie and did so every chance they had. Their last trip together was a spiritual pilgrimage to Assisi, Rome and the Holy Land in April of 2015 where she continued to grow in her faith in Christ and love of her church.
A celebration of Jennifer’s life will be held with a visitation on Thursday May 14, 2015 at Crowder Funeral Home in Webster, TX at 6:00 pm with a Vigil at 7:00 pm and Rosary to follow. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday May 15, 2015 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Houston, TX at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a memorial donation in Jennifer’s memory may do so to MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Jennifer was a terrific classmate in HS. She was quiet but had a dazzling smile and sweet manner. We missed her at our 50th HS reunion but know she had an outstanding visit to Italy and the Holy Land before her illness.
She will be missed very much by her friends as well as her family.
Whatton Family,
Please accept our families deepest condolences on this sad occasion. The Whatton’s were my family’s dentist until they retired. I first started going there when I was in high school.
Jennifer was always there at the front desk to welcome us with a friendly smile. Proud grandparents, we would often see Jennifer and Dr. Whatton at their grandson’s baseball games. We will miss you very much.
David & Holli Hirsch
I am so so sad to hear this news, she was such a wonderful woman. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Have not seen Jennifer for 50 years, and so, so, sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person in High School, so friendly and sweet. I have great and fond memories of her. God bless you, your family, and ya’ll are in my prayers.
I am truly saddened to hear of Jennifer’s passing. She was a friend whose company and personality I truly enjoyed in spite of the fact that it was generally in the dentist office. She and Charlie had the marriage/friendship thing working to perfection. It will take some time to process her loss.
Charlie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bill Culpepper
Our life was made better having known Jennifer. She was a great lady and a fantastic person. Jennifer will be greatly missed and always remembered.
To the Whatton Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will always remember Jennifer with great fondness and know her absence leaves a large emptiness in many lives.
Richard and Becky Bryan
My wife and myself are very sorry to know the passing away of Jennifer. Our family came to know her from our dental visits. She was very kind, always smiling at the front desk. She always cared and ask about our family and kids who have grown up.
We are very much pleased to know her and Dr.Charles, whom we meet sometimes in the Kroger and remembers us by my name and asks about our family.
Nice family. It is a God given thing brings us and takes it away.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Charlie and family.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Jennifer was such a wonderful person and she will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with your family.
Charlie and family–spent my high school years very close to Jennifer. What a great friend and classmate! She had such a sweet spirit and was always cheerful and smiling. She could light up room. I know how much you must miss her, you all will all be in my prayers.
Jennifer will always be in my heart, she was a huge part of my childhood as my brother and almost every afternoon at the house with Will and Amy. We all grew up together and our families even traveled across the south together (Disney World). Although, now that we are all grown up with families of our own and have lost touch a little, we will always have the time spent with her and all of us together in our hearts and will never lose that. She was always someone we could count on or go to if we had any problems or needed any help. I am grateful to have had her in my life. Amy, Will, and Charlie, you will be in my thoughts and prayers always. May the next few weeks bring you some peace as you share memories, hugs, and I hope a little laughter with your friends and family in remembrance and celebration of Jennifer’s life. We will miss her greatly.
My heart goes out to all of you. Jennifer was such a dear, caring person. On several occasions we shared our cancer journeys but always ended them with hope and a few ironic chuckles. I will always remember her brilliant smile, easy laugh all accompanied by a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. May the love that surrounds you all, and that will be Jennifer’s legacy, help you find peace. Much love.
We have been neighbors for over 25 years. We’re heartbroken for Charlie and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Whattons,
Ray and I are so very saddened by Jennifer’s passing. Your Dental Office was our family’s favorite, you and Jennifer always made it a pleasant place to visit. Lord knows, you did sooo much work on me! Our hearts go out to you, Amy, Will and the grandchildren. Carrie and Kip send their thoughts and prayers along with ours. May your wonderful memories of this beautiful lady give you all peace.
Lynda and Ray Forsthoffer
Dear Dr. Whatton, Amy and family, I am so sorry for Jennifer’s passing. I thank the Lord for Blessing me with the opportunity of knowing Jennifer. She will always be in my thoughts and prayers. We shared the same work ethics. Thank you for your support through the years Jennifer. You will me missed.
Sincerely,
Dennis Berg and family
Dr. Whatton and family,
I was so very sad and shocked to hear of Jennifer’s passing. I had recently run into her (and Dr. Whatton) in HEB and as always we had the best conversation; talking of course about our children and grandchildren. She was so proud of her family and loved sharing that. Although I may not have known her for long we seemed like old friends. I suppose because our children went to school together and my son-n-law is a Dentist, so we always had plenty to talk about. Thank you Jennifer for always being so kind, genuine and caring not only in the office, but outside as well. Your love will carry on within your children and grandchildren. I pray God provides comfort to all of you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Gena Cegielski and family
Dr Whatton and family, I’m so sorry for your loss, we were patients of Dr Watton since the 90s and every time we saw Jennifer at the front desk we would always talk about our day and that she always had a smile that would warm our hearts!!! Her legacy will live on through all of us!!!
Sincerely, the Schaub family
To the Whatton Family,
We were heartbroken to receive word of Jennifer’s death. She was such a vibrant gal, always smiling. She will always hold special place in my heart being the very first Army friend I had. So many fun memories of Ft. Benning and Houston. I still have the stuffed musical reindeer that she made for our son Ron. Now our grandchildren enjoy listening to it.
May God hold all of you in His loving arms and bring you peace and comfort.
With Love,
Sandy and Bob Ramsey
.. yes, this has come as a terrible shock .. Jennifer and I were next door neighbors, and our parents got to be good friends .. my 92-year-old mother was immensely saddened when I told her this awful news .. our thoughts and prayers go out to her family ..
Whatton family,
We are so saddened to hear of Jennifer’s home going. We first met Jennifer when Will was in my 3-hr-old Mothers Day Out class. Every time we went in to the office we felt like we were visiting with friends. She was always smiling and knew all about our family. We had many discussions about our children and then the grandchildren. She was a blessing to so many of us and will be greatly missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with your whole family.
Love, Bill & Marye Rogers
Billy, Audrey and Amy