Charlene Louise Whalen

Charlene Louise Whalen, a cherished soul known her kind spirit and heart, departed this life on November 3, 2024, at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of cherished memories. Charlene made her way to the tranquil surroundings of Fleurdleys Assisted Living in Fort Worth, Texas, where she spent her final days surrounded by those who cared for her deeply.

A graveside service will be held in her honor at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Vaughan Cemetery, where friends and family will gather to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman. Prior to the service, a visitation will take place from Noon to 1:00 PM at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Whitney.

Charlene Louise Whalen was born on July 26, 1936, in Bowie, Texas, to Charley Lee York and Ellen Louise (Pigg) York, her loving parents.

She attended school in Bowie and Dallas, where she graduated high school. Charlene then married Charles Edward Cranshaw on Marsh 19, 1954, and lived in Richardson, Texas. She then went to work for her father in Downtown Dallas as a bookkeeper at Charles L. York, Fur Inc. Charlene later moved to Lake Whitney, built a home, and opened a restaurant, Charlie's Steakhouse. She then remarried Kenneth D. Whalen on December 4, 1978. 

Charlene was a member of the American Legion Club and also an enthusiast of the Motorcycle Club, she thoroughly enjoyed riding motorcycles, as well as the comradery. She later drove an 18-wheeler with her husband, Kenneth Whalen. She loved to cook and work outside in her yard. Charlene loved dogs and donated often to the ASPCA, PETA, Paws for Purple Hearts, and any K-9"s. She loved to play the piano and organ as well. Most of all, she loved her family so much and would do anything for any of us. She was a very headstrong person and didn't mind voicing her opinion, and was passionate. Charlene will be sorely missed as she was the "rock" of our family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Whalen on June 25, 2000; parents, Charley York and Ellen York; and son-in-law, Kevin Smith.

Left to cherish Charlene's memories are her children, Charles W. Cranshaw and wife, Mitzi of Mansfield, Texas, and daughter, Jody Smith of Palestine, Texas; grandchildren, Kevin Lee Smith of Lubbock, Texas, Kyle Dee Smith of Austin, Texas, and Christina Nicole Cranshaw of Dallas, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Hannah, Ella and Norah Smith all of Lubbock, Texas.

We especially want to thank Fleurdley's Assisted Living and Wings of Texas for the wonderful care that was given to our mother while she was there. We are forever grateful to each and every one of you!

As we remember Charlene, let us hold her spirit close in our hearts, celebrating the love she shared and the indelible mark she left on us all. She will be profoundly missed, but her memory will forever remain alive in the stories we tell and the love we carry.