Mary Anna Whetstone, 90, of Leawood, KS passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Sunrise Senior Living in Leawood, KS. She was born September 8, 1930 in Tulsa, OK. She was the daughter of the late Elgy and Evelyn (Teel) Barr.
She graduated from Tulsa Central High School and received a degree in Christian Education from Phillip's University in Enid, Ok. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Olathe. Mary Anna was an avid reader and enjoyed knitting. She loved playing competitive duplicate Bridge achieving the top ranking in the American Contract Bridge League of Life Master.
Mary Anna's professional career included working as a youth pastor in Okmulgee, OK and pastor of adult education in Tampa, FL. She transitioned into the Human Resources profession working for the Texas Employment Commission and eventually becoming a senior executive for Federated Department Stores in Texas. After her retirement, Mary Anna returned to the ministry as the Associate Pastor of First Christian Church of Newton, KS.
She is survived by her children, Byron Whetstone and wife Jerri, Anita Benko and husband Michael. Nine grandchildren: Tyler Whetstone, Peyton Stueve and her husband Alex, Ben Whetstone, Christopher Applegate, Stephanie Applegate, April Benko, Zachary Benko, Amber Benko, and Ashley Benko and eight great-grandchildren.
Her memorial service was held at the First Christian Church of Olathe on Monday, March 22, 2021. There will be a funeral service at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, Tulsa with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Whetstone, her sister Alice Murphy, brothers William Barr and Carl Barr.
In lieu of flowers a contribution can be directed to Phillip's University Theological Seminary, Whetstone Memorial, 901 N. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK 74116, www.ptstulsa.edu .