Clarriece Maxine Whitley Rector's Obituary
Clarriece Maxine Whitley Rector was born May 8, 1930, in Anacoco, LA. She was one of two children and the only daughter of James Thomas Whitley and Cora Malora Jeane. She passed from this life on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Clarriece has been a resident of Beauregard Parish since 1949. During her life, she held many trades, including cashier, rodeo stock contractor, newspaper delivery person, co-owner of Jerome’s pulpwood business, multiple secretarial roles, rancher, and homemaker. Her passion, however, was that of a beautician. She truly enjoyed spending time in her shop with her many clients and continued to practice the trade until the age of 75. It could be said that she was a jill-of-all-trades, a true Renaissance woman.
Her hobbies included gardening, raising chickens, sewing, and knitting. She had a knack for growing things and won numerous awards at the Parish Fair for her plants and chickens. Her patchwork quilts have been treasured by many and will go on to serve as a reminder of her loving and caring ways.
Clarriece accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in 1952 at a mission church held at the time in the Lemans Mattress Factory. Soon after, she began attending Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where she became a member and continued to serve God. She taught Sunday School, Girls in Action, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Church, and was a member of the Sweet Spirits Choir.
She leaves behind her five children, daughter Deborah Ann Lange of DeRidder, daughter Dottie Belle Travis and husband Raulin of DeRidder, son Thomas Wesley Rector of DeRidder, daughter Donna Elizabeth Rector of DeRidder, and son Marion “Marty” Jerome Rector and wife Melissa of DeRidder. In addition, ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 71 years, Jerome Wesley Rector, parents Thomas and Cora Whitley, brother, A.B. Whitley and wife Lou, and brother-in-law C.L. Rector and wife Reta.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in DeRidder, LA. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in DeRidder, with Rev. Danny Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, DeRidder, LA.
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