Extracted from The Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS)
Friday, July 31, 2003

Bennie Benford Whittington

Bennie Benford Whittington, 79, died Tuesday, July 28, 2003 in Montgomery, AL. He was a long-time resident of Ocean Springs, MS. Mr. Whittington served 24 years active duty in the US Air Force, achieving the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was a decorated veteran who served in the European Theatre in WWII, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was a recipient of two bronze star medals. Mr. Whittington retired from the National Park Service in 1986 after serving as Chief of Maintenance at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs, MS.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Cherry Whittington; parents Claude D. Whittington and Maggie Bertha Whittington of Crystal Springs, MS; brothers, Adie, Horace, Louis, and Elmer Whittington; and sisters Irene Keyes and Florence Edwards.

Survivors include his sons Lynn K. (Mitzi) Whittington, Kim (Lin) Whittington of Montgomery, AL, and Danny C. Whittington of Rockledge, FL and one daughter, Cheryl W. Schminke of Evansville, IN; two sisters, Bertha Nichols of Pearl, MS and Claudine Wilson of Liberty, MS, seven grandchildren, Brian Whittington, Kyle Whittington, Ethan Whittington, Anna Whittington, Ben Whittington, Bradley Schminke, and Jessica Schminke.

Visitation will be 8:30-10 am, Friday, August 1, 2003 at Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, followed by a 10:30 am graveside service at Biloxi National Cemetery.