Ida Mae Whetten Hamblin died Sept 27, 2010 after an extended illness. Mae and her twin brother Jay were born in a log cabin in Colonia Chuchupa, Chih., Mexico on Sept 7, 1922 to Ida and John A Whetten. Mae survived numerous injuries and illnesses growing up. She graduated from Juarez Stake Academy and later returned to Colonia Juarez to teach 3rd grade for a year. While attending ASU in Tempe, AZ, she fell in love with Roland Hamblin. They were married on Friday the 13th of Aug. ,1943 in El Paso, TX. As "Buzz" served during WWII as a navy pilot hunting German submarines in the North Atlantic and later as a flight instructor, they lived in various navy ports including New Orleans. After the war, they lived in Tucson while Roland earned his law degree from UofAZ. Then they resided for 18 years in El Paso, TX, where 4 of their 5 children were born. They lived in Odessa, TX for 19 years where Mae served her church and community as a teacher, cub scout leader, primary and Relief Society president, seminary teacher. Later, she served with her husband as a missionary in Peoria, IL. She and her husband presided over the Concepcion, Chile Mission for 3 years.
Mae and Roland retired to Safford, AZ. Where they built a home and planted a pecan orchard. Mae served the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a teacher, an extractor in the genealogy program and as a temple worker. Both Mae and Roland died in their home in Safford, AZ with family around them.
Mae was a natural story teller, a gifted teacher, and an awesome wife, mother and grandmother. Her hobbies included water painting, writing poetry, baking, quilting, canning and gardening.
Ida Mae Hamblin was preceded in death by her husband Roland, her son Roland, and her granddaughter, Deena Huber. She is survived by 4 children: JoAnn (Robert Thompson) of McKinney, TX; Janell Huber of Odessa, TX; Ida (Stan Nunley) of Safford, AZ; and Randy Hamblin (Pam) of Albuquerque, NM.
Their posterity includes 12 grandsons: Matthew R Patton IV (Rebecca) of Gilmer, TX; Marc Roland Patton (Isaura) of Fort Worth, TX; Rodd Huber and Ty Huber (Jamie) of Odessa, TX; Errick Huber (Amy) of Boerne, TX; Dr. Jayson Huber (April) of Maryland; Ron Nunley (Brigette) of Eureka, NV; Daniel Nunley (Casey), John Nunley (Stephanie) and Travis Nunley of Safford, AZ; Russell Hamblin (Christine) of Tallahassee, FL; and Ryan Hamblin of Albuquerque. Surviving granddaughters are Molly Elliason (Brad) of Brookings, SD; Elizabeth Siravo (Tim) of Tucson, AZ; and Taffy Goold (Jeremy), Jennifer Anderson (Jesse), Mandy Hamblin and Jessica Hamblin of Albuqerque, NM.
Mae's surviving siblings are Jay Whetten (Virginia) of Colonia Juarez; Carl Whetten (Viva) of Mesa, AZ; Vernelle Reed of Safford, AZ; Vilda Hunsaker of Cedar City, UT; and Martha Pratt of Mesa, AZ. She was beloved by all.
Funeral Services will be conducted Monday, October 4, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mt. Graham LDS Chapel with viewing one hour prior. Graveside services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Eagar Cemetery.
Obit: McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel, Safford, Arizona.