Edward L Whitley 

Funeral service for Edward L. Whitley, age 92 of Anadarko, OK, will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church in Verden, OK.

Ed went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born on July 10, 1933, in Anadarko to Luther and Helen Whitley, beginning a life that would be marked by faithful service, compassion for others, and an unwavering commitment to his calling.

Ed grew up in Gracemont, Oklahoma, where he graduated from high school in 1952. In February of 1955, he married the love of his life, Ruth Lewis, in Oklahoma City. Together they shared a devoted partnership rooted in faith, family, and ministry. In January of 1957, Ed answered God's call into full-time ministry, beginning his lifelong service as a Pentecostal minister in Casa Grande, Arizona. From there, his ministry extended across Arizona, Oklahoma, and Indiana, touching countless lives through preaching, teaching, and personal encouragement. Ed's leadership and heart for young people led him to serve as Youth Director for the state of Oklahoma from 1967 to 1969. He also faithfully served on the Oklahoma District Board for more than twenty years, offering wisdom, steady guidance, and a pastor's heart to both churches and fellow ministers. Even after officially retiring from ministry in 2002, Ed continued to preach as needed, always ready to step in where God opened a door. He later returned to the pulpit once more, retiring for the final time in January of 2013. Alongside his ministry, Ed devoted over four decades to serving families in their times of greatest need through his work in funeral service. Beginning in 1966, he worked with Hanson-Binyon Funeral Home, Binyon Funeral Home, and McRay Funeral Home, and from 1987 to 1995 he lived and worked at the Cyril Funeral Home. In both ministry and funeral service, Ed was known for his gentleness, compassion, and ability to bring comfort and peace during life's most difficult moments. In his later years, Ed returned to his home place in Anadarko, where he lived out the remainder of his life. He cherished the fellowship of his church families and found great joy in sharing coffee and conversation with friends in Anadarko, Gracemont, and Verden. Above all, Ed deeply loved his family and took great pride in each generation that followed him. His life stands as a testament to faithful ministry, quiet kindness, and a servant's heart that reflected Christ in every season.

Ed was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Whitley; his parents, Luther and Helen Whitley; three brothers, Wayne, Clifford, and LaVaughn Whitley; three sisters, Ollie Mae Whitley, Bonnie Wigley, and Pearl Callison; and one daughter-in-law, Ranae Whitley.

He is survived by his son, Rev. Robert Whitley; his daughter, Joy Phillips; grandchildren Jody Whitley and wife Jessica, Cody Phillips, Alex Whitley and wife Mary, Ryan Whitley and wife Ashley, and Amy Whitley; as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who will continue his legacy of faith and love.

Ed will be laid to rest at Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko, Oklahoma under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.