Verlee Ward Whittington, 92, of Sour Lake, died Monday, September 14, 2015, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. She was born on May 11, 1923, in Sour Lake, to Matilda Moore Lounsberry and Charley Lounsberry, and had been a lifelong resident of Sour Lake. Verlee retired as a cafeteria worker from Hardin-Jefferson Independent School District after twenty-one years of employment. She was a longtime member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Cleveland.

Verlee is survived by her son, Aubrey Ward and his wife, Brenda, of China; daughter, Linda Hale, of Sour Lake; seven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Charline Taylor, of Sour Lake and Beverly Backes, of Powell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She is preceded in death by three sisters; one brother; and three husbands, Aubrey Ward, Earl Simpson, and Edward Whittington.

A gathering of Mrs. Whittington’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., with her funeral service to follow at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 17, 2015, at Morgan Cemetery, 22381 Morgan Cemetery Road, Cleveland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a church of one’s choice.