Marie "Big Mama" Whetsel 95, of Abilene passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in North's Memorial Chapel with Pastor Paul Mata officiating. Burial will follow in the Drummond Cemetery under the direction of North's Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m. Monday in North's Memorial Chapel. Ms. Whetsel was born February 11, 1921 in Bradshaw, Texas to T. J. and May (Gill) Middleton. Her family moved to Abilene in 1938. She met Preston Whetsel in 1940 and they were married January 17, 1942. He preceded her in death in 1977. They had three beautiful girls and they preceded her in death. Sandra (Boogie) Whetsel in 1989, Margie Kreger in 1995 and Annetta Allen in 1999. Ms. Whetsel worked for Abilene Independent School District from 1955 ~ 1970 in the cafeteria and dearly loved every day of it. She was a Methodist. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three daughters, one grandchild Dirk Belcher. Five brothers and two sisters. She is survived by three brothers, Bob, Leroy and Johnny Middleton. Five grandchildren David Belcher and wife Abbe of Owasso, Oklahoma, Dee Dee Sullivan of Austin, Texas, Gary Allen of Hawley, Texas, Jeanetta McKnight of Hawley and Terry and Gloria Allen of Odessa, Texas. Ten great- grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. A very special nephew, Wayne Whetsel and wife Gayle. Online condolences may be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com