Mrs. Louise Morse Whitham, retired Tulsa history teacher and local historian, died at her residence on Monday, December 11, 1978, of heart failure. She was born in Rockford, IL on December 25, 1878, to Frank Eugene Morse and Ruth Mackenzie Morse. Mrs. Whitham, 99, of 4129 E. 22nd Pl., Tulsa, OK, was the first donor to the Tulsa Historical Society. She was instrumental in organizing Central High School's Tulsa Historical Society, a student association interested in learning and preserving Tulsa's history. Mrs. Whitham taught at Central from 1918 to 1950. A contributor to the Chronicles of Oklahoma, Mrs. Whitham also was the author of a book tracing the genealogy of her family since 1635. In addition, she wrote a monthly historical column for the Tulsa County Historical Society publication. Mrs. Whitham was the recipient of numerous honors in the Tulsa community, including a certificate of appreciation from the Tulsa County Historical Society, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Oklahoma Heritage Association. At Mrs. Whitman's suggestion, the late President Herbert Hoover was prompted to put down in writing, the experiences he could remember during the one year he lived near Pawhuska, OK with an uncle, who was an Osage Indian agent. Mrs. Whitham was a feature contributor to the Tulsa World, writing many stories concerning local sites of historical interest. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, International Teachers' Honorary Society. She is survived by her brother, Jay Russell Morse, of Tulsa, OK and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Whitham.

Service 2 p.m., Thursday, December 14, 1978
Moore's Eastlawn Chapel, Tulsa, OK
Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, OK


Moore's Eastlawn Chapel
918-622-1155