Jennifer Melanie Whelpley was born August 31, 1971 in Granada Hills, California. She stepped into the presence of Jesus Christ at 1:20 p.m. February 5, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jennifer is the daughter of Lee and Sharon Whelpley, the sister of Tristie and Patrick, the sister-in-law of Brian, the aunt of Ben, Joy, Kennedy and Kassidy, and the pet parent of her beloved Boxer, Bella.

Jennifer graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 1989. Jen was involved in numerous high school organizations including: Band, Color Guard Rifles, Broken Arrow Tigette Drill team, COLOBASH, and Secretary of her Senior Class.

Jen attended Northeastern State University. She enjoyed her friends from Tri Sigma sorority and made many memories. Jennifer’s God-given intelligence shows itself in her choice of “favorite college class”- Bioethics.

Jennifer’s work ethic was sacrificial and selfless. No matter what health battle Jen was fighting, she was deeply committed to her role as a faithful employee. As a manager, Jen led various teams by example- consistently putting others ahead of herself and being the embodiment of hard work. Her various leadership skills and management style has impacted local restaurants and retail establishments.

Jen battled multiple serious health issues throughout her life stemming from a childhood diagnosis of Type I Diabetes. She’s been in and out of hospitals for years, yet nearly every nurse who cared for Jen echoed the same phrases: “She’s so sweet!”, “No matter what Jen’s going through, she says “Thank you.”, and “She’s the toughest girl we’ve ever seen.” These comments reflect Jennifer’s strength and endurance. She utterly refused to be labeled by her health issues. Jen never embraced a “victim status.” Instead, she fought from a mentality of victor!

Her love for her friends and family was deep. Jen was consistently loyal and faithful to those in her life. Her quick sense of humor added so much joy to the lives of people around her.  She brought life to others! For Jen, relationships were built on foundations of trust and commitment. If you were given the honor of Jen’s love and affection, it was forever.

Jennifer physically suffered on a level many of us cannot comprehend.  As Jen’s personal faith grew, certain Bible verses gave her strength. I Corinthians 2:9 explains “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered the heart of man all the things which God has prepared for this who love Him.” This verse gave her hope in the fact that in Heaven, earthly physical pain is transformed into the beauty of full healing. Jen is -right now-complete and whole. She is experiencing a joy that we cannot understand until we see Jesus ourselves! Knowing Jen, she wants all of us to share in the love and peace she knows now. God gave us all a precious gift in the life of Jennifer Melanie Whelpley and we honor Him today by simply saying “Thank you.” Jen knew the promise God made “I make all things new.” And now, she -as His daughter-radiates life.

Gifts can be made to: Share Life & Cherokee Nation in the name of Jennifer Whelpley.

Colossians 1:13-17 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him, all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him, all things hold together.”