Feb 18, 2014 2 min read

Sara Louise Gillingham Whitehead, 86, of Kingwood, Texas, died Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center.

Sara was born March 15, 1927(Beware the Ides of March!), in Elizabeth, PA, the daughter of the late Charles E. and Julia E. (Bakush) Gillingham. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 44 years, Ralph H. Whitehead, Jr. in 1998, her son, Ralph Henry (Hank) Whitehead, III in 2004 and a sister, Lucille, who died in infancy. Sara is survived by her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne W. and Richard M. Potter of Kingwood, as well as dear friends and family from everywhere she graced.

Sara graduated from Clairton High School and the University of Pittsburgh, where she also did postgraduate work and was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She lived in Moon Township, PA for many years before retiring as a secondary English teacher at Aliquippa High School. Prior to relocating to Houston in 1981, Sara lived in Philadelphia, PA and the Netherlands. She was a member of the James Tull Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Humble, TX and the Atascocita Presbyterian Church. Sara was a whiz at Jeopardy, loved music, had a beautiful alto voice and was known to strum her ukulele while belting out the occasional raunchy tune. She will be truly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her. Sara’s family would like to thank the compassionate professionals at Methodist Hospital, especially the West 8 staff for their loving care.

Friends will be received on Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm in the FRYE FUNERAL HOME INC., 427 W. Main Street, Monongahela, PA 15063, where funeral services will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 11:00 am with the Rev. Andrew Scott officiating. Committal services and interment will follow in the Monongahela Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions in Sara’s memory to the Star of Hope Mission, 6897 Ardmore, Houston, TX 77054.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com