Robert E. Whitaker
Robert E. Whitaker, 83, of Dongola, died at 8:18 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, at his home.
He was born on Jan. 19, 1936, in Anna, the son of Leland O. and Afton Treece Whitaker.
He married Shirley Meisenheimer on Nov. 27, 1956.
He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1953, where he played football for the Wildcats.
He retired from Fruit Belt Service Company’s Ullin location after 35 years of service. He was also an avid farmer in Union County.
Robert and Shirley enjoyed traveling together and took many trips. He was a member of the Dongola First Baptist Church.
Mr. Whitaker is survived by his wife, Shirley; a daughter, Terri Whitaker Elzey of Surprise, Ariz.; a son, Chris (Brenda) Whitaker of Anna; grandsons Jason (Amanda) Dixon of Brooklyn, N.Y., Merritt McMahan of Hayward, Calif., Reginald Elzey of Inglewood, Calif., David (Carla) Whitaker of Jonesboro and Cody (Katie) Whitaker of Cobden; nine great-grandchildren; several special nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jim Whitaker; and a sister, Betty Jo Bailey.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Crain Funeral Home in Dongola, with Mike Cole leading the opening prayer, Dean West giving the message and Paul Sadler leading the closing prayer. Burial was in Cypress Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.
Crain Funeral Home in Dongola was in charge of arrangements.