Ida Marie Whitley, affectionately known as Shinky was born to the union of John W. Pearson and Barbara J. Whitley on September 8th, 1958 in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended Lincoln High School in the Kansas City Missouri School District. She never had any biological children of her own but she was a mother to many, including siblings, nieces, nephews, and great nieces & nephews. She had a lot of favorites, but she always had a special place in her heart for Jerome Jr., Kamauntae, and Rah'meire "FatCat", just a few of her many great nephews. Shinky was a very giving person, and she loved her family, and was always looking out for everyone. If you stopped by, she would offer you something to eat, if you needed a place to stay, her doors were always opened, if you needed a few dollars, well, she gave you that too. She was a very selfless person that made sure everyone around her was okay, even if it meant giving her all. She made a great impact and left a lasting impression on everyone that she met and it was evident in the conversation that I had with Casey Merker of the Harrah's Casino & Hotel where Shinky worked for over 21 years until her departure, who shared some wonderful memories of Shinky in the workplace and how she brought an energy to the workplace that was contagious.

Shinky was preceded in death by her father , John W. Pearson and her mother, Barbara J. Whitley, maternal grandparents, John C. Whitley, Ida M. Patterson, Oscar Patterson, paternal grandmother, Mary P. Standifer, two brothers, Wallace "Bull" Whitley and Ronald "Fats" Whitley, nephew, Derrick "Mikey Doo" Whitley, & niece, My'Isha Whitley.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, Vonnell L. Dawkins, step-son, Vonnell Brown, nine brothers, Larry E. Whitley, Flennord D. Whitley, Parrish Smith-Whitley, Pastor Bruce S. Whitley (Bobbie), & Marcus L. Whitley (Tiara), Rodney N. Pearson, Alfred K. Warfield, Clifford Pearson, Johnny W. Pearson and eight sisters Deborah A. Whitley, Tammara J. Whitley, Glenda F. Whitley, & Co- Pastor Kimberly G. Rucker (Larry), Peonca Thomas, Cevina Ross, Lenora Pearson, & Shevahn Bennett-Wright. Dear sister/friend, Jaquelen Baker-Ralls and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. She leaves a special niece, Shaquita Whitley, and special nephews Kyle Whitley, Jerome Whitley, & DeAndre' Whitley, and a special cousin/sister Lora Whitley. She will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation Friday, March 6, 2020, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the chapel. Funeral service Saturday, March 7, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Christian Tabernacle COGIC. Interment Brooking Cemetery. Visitation Friday, March 6, 2020, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the chapel. Visitation 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Service conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.