Zena Hatfield Whitener

ZENA RAE WHITENER Funeral services for lifelong Dove Creek resident, Zena Rae Whitener will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 5 at the Dove Creek First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Dove Creek Cemetery. May 20, 1925 was the day God chose to bless this world with the birth of one his precious children. Her parents, Charles and Inez Hatfield, named her Zena Rae. Zena had eight brothers and sisters, John Martin, Paul Martin, Lucille Mayes, Martin Hatfield (all of whom preceded Zena in death), Rena Jo Todd, Charlie Hatfield, Pearl Maxwell and Celesta Mikel who survive Zena. Making a living on a small farm in Dove Creek was a challenging life for the Hatfield family. But true to her nature, when Zena told stories of her childhood she recalled only the fun things that happened. She chose to look at the bright and happy side of life. After graduating from high school, Zena went to work for the Selective Service office. The country was at war and Zena always felt she contributed to her country in this job. It was while working in the Selective Service office that a handsome young man named Andy caught her attention. It took Andy awhile to win her heart, but once she gave her heart to him it was his forever. On May 1, 1948 in Bernalillo, N.M. Andy Whitener gave Zena about the only possession he owned at the time, his name. For the rest of her life, Being Zena Whitener was one of her greatest treasures. After marriage, the couple lived briefly in Arizona and California, but the pull of Dove Creek in their life was strong. Returning to Dove Creek they lived for several months in a tent with their two young daughters on the farm that they had recently purchased. Over the ensuing years the couple their four daughters cleared many, many acres of farmland. Bit by bit they also built the house their daughters were raised in. Little events in life, like indoor plumbing and a bathroom door were causes of great celebration for the little family. As her family grew up, Zena eventually sought employment and went to work as the Clerk of the County Court, a job she had for many years. From all accounts she was very good at her job, especially considering that she never learned to type with more than just two fingers. Zena adored her family. She had four daughters, Andrea Reader and husband, David, Sandy Odette and husband Doug, Barbara Lewis and husband Greg, and Rebecca Martinez and husband Steve. She also has six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her beloved husband, Andy resides in heaven. And now the God that she loved and served has invited her to join Him and her husband. What a glorious reunion that must have been. Zena and Andy are together again and best of all they are in the presence of the God they served. Memorial contributions can be made in Zena’s name at Community Bank of Dove Creek.