Edward H. Whitaker

Edward H. Whitaker Navy Retiree Dearing, GA. - Mr. Edward Heggie Whitaker, 73, of South Main Street entered into rest September 15, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the New Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Allen Holbrook officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Harlem Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Whitaker was born in Harlem, Georgia and was the son of the late Heggie Byron Whitaker and the late Darrene Bales Whitaker. He served in the U. S. Navy during Vietnam and retired as a highly decorated Command Master Chief Submariner with thirty years active service. Mr. Whitaker also retired from Florida Power Company and in 2002 he left his home in Altamonte Springs, Florida and moved to Dearing, Georgia. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Survivors include his beloved wife, Linda Carithers Whitaker; daughters, Sonja Whitaker of Thomson, GA, Cheryl White and husband, Mike of Groveland, FL, Sheila Toney and husband, Bart of Thomson, GA, Cyndi Wells and husband, Jay of Altamonte Springs, FL; son Quentin Whitaker and wife, Nicole of Winter Haven, FL; brothers, Ervin Whitaker of Virginia, Wayne Whitaker of Thomson, GA; sisters, Velma Sager of Mathis, WV, Vandella Inglett of Augusta, GA, Vanessa McCorkle of Thomson, GA, Virginia Holliman of Dearing, GA, Veronica Whitaker of Augusta, GA; eight grandchildren, Pamela Obrien, Nick Palma, Alisha Ogletree, Kayla Whitaker, Javen Wells and Jeffrey Wells; and four great grandchildren, McKenzie Brandt, Austin DeUnger, Sophia Ogletree, and Rheya Rodgers. Mr. Whitaker was preceded in death by two sisters, Vivian Mitchell and Verma Anderson. Friends may call the residence of Linda Whitaker, 259 S. Main Street, Dearing, GA or from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, September 16, 2011 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church 1424 Cobbham Road, Thomson, GA 30824. Please visit BeggsFuneralHome.com for additional obituary information or to sign the family's personal guest book. Beggs Funeral Home, Thomson, Georgia 706/595-4100.