Extracted from The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Whittington, Emil W.
Emil W. Whittington, a retired master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, died Friday, May 13, 2005, at his home in the Central area where he had resided for the past 44 years. He was 87. His several year long battle with strokes, heart disease and cancer is now over. This battle ended peacefully with his friends and family helping him to make his final journey.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Harp Whittington; daughter, Denise Whittington, Balboa, Calif.; two sons, Ralph Emil Whittington, Holden, and Rodney Alan Whittington, Trenton, Ga.; four daughters-in-law, Jettie, Cynthia, Carolyn and Sandra; a sister, Ramona Williamson; brother, Doyle Whittington, and his wife, Dottie; seven grandchildren, Rodney Jr., Brooke, Misty, Trestian, Grace, Chase and Miceala; and six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Kirsten, Tres, Carrie and twins, Sam and Will.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Meda Whittington; brothers, Lee and Homer Whittington; granddaughter, Carrie Whittington; and his brother-in-law, Sidney Williamson.
He served as a communications chief in the South Pacific during World War II, returned for 15 months of duty at the Keesler Air Force Base during the Korean War, and subsequently retired after 20 years of service with the U.S. Air Force Active Reserve. He was an electrician at Ethyl Corp. for 13 years, and was retired form the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development as an electrical inspector. He was a charter member of Baker Christian Church and worshipped with the Comite Church of Christ. He also enjoyed many years as a member of Nickens Lake Hunting Club in Denham Springs.
Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd, Sunday, May 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday, May 16, from 1 p.m. until funeral service at 3 p.m. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Service conducted by Will Tramel of Comite Church of Christ and Bill Unstetter of Baker Christian Church.
Pallbearers will be Ralph Whittington, Rodney Whittington Sr., Doyle Whittington, Robert Whittington, Ryan Whittington, Zane Whittington and Tim Williamson.
Honorary pallbearers are F.D. Comeaux, Lowell Hagan, William Brinkley, Rodney Whittington Jr., Sonny Nelson, members of Nickens Lake Hunting Club, men of Comite Church of Christ and Baker Christian Church.
Special thanks to Genesis Hospice staff for all their care during the last 2 1/2 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Baton Rouge Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Alzheimer's Association or the charity of your choice.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
(Master Sgt. USAF Ret.)