James Whittington

James E. Whittington 92, lovingly know as Mr. Whit, passed away Saturday, April 24 at St. Catherine's Village Nursing Home in Madison, MS. Mr. Whit was born August 3, 1917 in Leake County, MS near Carthage. He left Carthage in 1938 to attend Mortuary College in St. Louis specializing in plastic surgery. He served his apprenticeship in Hattiesburg, MS. In 1940, while working at Dickens Funeral Home in Batesville, MS. he met the love of his life, Dorothy (Dot) Brasell Whittington. She preceded him in death in January of 2000.
Mr. Whit served in World War II combat as Staff Sergeant with the Americal Artillery Division of the Army from March 1941 - 1945. He would later manage Fletcher Funeral Home in Cleveland from 1948 until he retired in 1978. He and Dot owned and operated Whit's Flowers for 10 years. They were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland until they moved to St. Catherine's Village in Madison, MS in 1996 where they were members of First Presbyterian Church of Madison.
Mr. Whit is survived by a daughter, Annelle Whittington Rose and her husband Jim of Olive Branch, MS, a son Al Whittington of Atlanta, GA, two grandchildren, Billy Rose of Meridian, MS, Laurie Rose Lorio of Charlotte, NC and 4 great granddaughters.
Visitation will be held Tuesday night from 6 - 8 at Ray funeral home and Wednesday from 10 - 11at First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland with the funeral service following at 11. Burial will be at Cleveland Cemetery.