Bennie Lea Quillen

Bennie Lea Quillen, 84, of Pampa passed away on July 17, 2020 at Heritage Convalescent Center in Amarillo. 

A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Rev. Johnny Rhodes, BSA Hospice Chaplain, officiating.  Private family burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.  Her services will be live streamed at https://www.carmichael-whatley.com/page/live-streaming.

Mrs. Quillen was born on September 25, 1935 in Seminole, Oklahoma to parents Julia and John Dendy.  The youngest of six children, Bennie grew up in Idabel, Oklahoma and graduated from high school in 1954.  Two years later, she married Gene Harkrader from Pampa. They had three daughters before he was killed in a plane crash in 1960 while serving in the Air Force.  She then moved to Pampa so that their girls could be near his parents, Zeda and G.I. Harkrader.  In 1965 Bennie married Ted Quillen with whom she had another daughter.

Bennie became a member of the First Christian Church of Pampa in 1960.  Over the years she volunteered in their office and library and served other relief ministries including Kid’s Café.  Bennie also enjoyed Bible study and worked in the frame department at the Hobby Shop for 15 years.  Although Bennie battled severe anxiety and depression, she found comfort in hobbies such as yardwork and crafts as well as spending time with close friends and family.  She also found comfort in her faith.

Bennie is survived by her sister Ima Ruth Roach of Odessa; and by four daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Craig Jones of Pampa, Julie and Glenn Whittenberg, of Burleson, Teresa and Fred Becker of Marble Falls, and Tiffany Quillen of Amarillo.  She is also survived by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Her family thanks the loving and caring staff of Heritage Convalescent Center for making her feel at home during her years there.  They are also grateful to BSA Hospice of the Southwest for helping to keep her comfortable during her final days.

She will lie in state starting Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to your favorite charity.