Reba Mae Whitaker, age 91, of Clearwater, California, formerly of  Dixon and Osage Beach, was born April 27, 1930, at Dixon, a daughter of Owen Walter and Mabel Marie (Kelley) Dake, and passed from this life Monday, August 16, 2021, at her residence.

She was united in marriage June 26, 1946, at Rolla, to Arthur Elis Whitaker, and to this union, eight children were born.

Mrs. Whitaker was of the Baptist faith, accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior early in life, and followed her Blessed Redeemer in baptism.  Her family lived in Dixon and later Osage Beach prior to their moving to the state of California in 1961.  While living in Osage Beach, Reba was employed in restaurant work as a waitress as well as being a devoted housewife and homemaker to her husband and family for all her working life.

She especially enjoyed planting and tending her garden consisting of various types of vegetables; always having flowers gardens; her beautiful rose garden with her favorite being red roses; and finding the ideal spot to feed the birds.  Mrs. Whitaker really liked traditional country music and most of all, Randy Travis, was at the top of her list.  In later years, she could go to church any time with her television and received great pleasure and contentment from watching church and religious programs.

Those left to celebrate the life of Mrs. Whitaker include:  Her 8 children, Arlene Medina (Govert VanNouhuys), Pamona, CA; Darryl Whitaker (Shellie), Warner Springs, CA; Lavira Macias, Clearlake, CA; Rena Whitaker, West Point, IA; Betty Conta (Foday), Lynnwood, WA; Arthur Whitaker, Clearlake, CA; Glenn Whitaker (Nancy), Santee, CA; and Dwayne Whitaker, Clearlake, CA; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Norma Workman, St. James, MO, and Eula Wolf (Bill), Petersburg, IL; nephews; nieces; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur (2005); her father, Owen (10-11-1945); her mother, Mabel (1-16-1984; 3 brothers, Farris Dake (9-28-2016), Cletus Dake (6-7-2001), and Kenneth Dake; and 3 sisters, Vinita Rollins (7-10-1999), Linda Hauck, and Marcella Groves (8-14-2009).

A graveside funeral service for Mrs. Reba Whitaker will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 4, 2021, in Seaton Cemetery, County Road 638, Dixon, MO 65459, with her daughter, Arlene Medina, officiating, under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon.  The family will gather at the cemetery beginning at 1:00 p.m. to receive friends and family prior to the service.

Interment of Mrs. Whitaker will follow the service with her sons, Darryl Whitaker, Arthur Whitaker, Glenn Whitaker, and Dwayne Whitaker, serving as honorary pallbearers for their mother.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Reba Whitaker are suggested to the Seaton Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, MO 65459.  Memorial correspondence may be mailed to the family in care of the funeral home as well.