Della Whatley began her thirty-year career in education in the Waco public schools. Della was an administrator that voted for the creation of Stilwell and was on hand fifty five years ago for the groundbreaking and dedication. “So many of my colleagues retired, and I would visit them at Stilwell. Plus my mother lived here for a few years about 20 years ago. I never dreamed that I would be a resident, but it has always seemed like my second home.” When Della did move to Stilwell, she gratefully boasted that “it was already home”.