Jarvis Whitfield Obituary

Jarvis Brandon
Whitfield passed away December 19, 2013 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Whitfield was a loving father to his two daughters and a loving husband to his wife Juanita. He was born July 12, 1918, to Samuel Whitfield, Sr. and Clara Hubbard, both of whom preceded him in death. He was the eldest of five brothers, four of whom, John Coleman, Sr., Hubbard Coleman, Clarence Coleman, and Samuel Whitfield, Jr. are deceased. Also preceding him in death were three sisters, Genieve Coleman, Helen DeBato and Roberta Moore.
Born in Trinity, Texas, he was brought to Houston at an early age and attended the public schools. After his honorable discharge from the United States Army, having served in World War II, he graduated from Wiley College in Texas and then studied medicine at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. It was while he was in medical school that he met his wife of 59 years, Jessie Juanita Davis, of Belfast, Tennessee, who was attending nearby Tennessee State University. Upon his graduation, they were married and soon started a family. After completing his general surgery internship at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, he moved his young family back to his native of home of Houston, Texas to be near his extended family. He started his solo office practice as a surgeon and general practitioner, and made many late night house calls. Early on he was a member of St. John Baptist Church on Dowling Street but in later years he joined Grace Congregational Church, eventually serving as a deacon. He was known for his kindness and generosity and was never known to have said an unkind word. For many years, Dr. Whitfield was the Chief Physician at the Texas Southern University medical clinic and worked as a staff physician at various community clinics operating within the Baylor College of Medicine System. Dr. Whitfield enjoyed membership in a number of professional organizations including the National Medical Association and Houston Medical Forum. His membership in other organizations included Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Paramount Club.
Dr. Whitfield is survived by his wife, Jessie Juanita Whitfield; two daughters, Sabrina Whitfield Hammond, M.D. and Teryl Whitfield Sprouse, J.D. (Peter); four grandchildren, Hillary Hammond, D.V.M., Lillian Hammond, Whitney Hammond and Dallas Hammond; and one great-grandson, Leo Flores. Also among the survivors are sisters-in-law; Geraldine Gibbs, Sara Murphy, Audrey Pope (Oscar), Brenda McLean, Gloria Coleman and Miriam Coleman; brothers-in-law James Sherman Davis (Judy), and Gary Davis (Valerie); a host of nieces and nephews; a special cousin, Addie Bevins Carr; a very special 'son', Gregory McAfee.
Dr. and Mrs. Whitfield enjoyed wonderful fellowship with their brothers and sisters at Grace Congregational Church, many of whom nurtured, sustained and comforted them as they remained to age in place in their beloved residence. Dr. Whitfield lived beyond the years of many of his friends and neighbors and asks that just a silent prayer be offered in his memory.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Dec. 22, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Jarvis Whitfield

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Carol Adams

February 4, 2024

Sis Whitfield...words can not express my feelings at this time. I just found Dr. Whitfield obit on facebook. I just want to say I thank My Heavenly Father for the opportunity of knowing Dr. Whitfield and you! Having you both a part of my spiritual growth and life! You both were so kind and loving toward me and I shall never forget Dr. Whitfield or you in this life! Thank God for the blessing of knowing Dr. Whitfield and you. What a wonderful example I have. God bless you Sis. Whitfield!

Cassandra White-Revels

May 22, 2014

Thinking of you Dad ... forever and always.

Terri

February 4, 2014

My Thoughts and prayers are with the family of Dr. Whitfield. Linda Brooks

Linda Brooks

January 7, 2014

Juanita, Terri & Sabrina:

I am truly sorry for your loss. I will miss checking on your Dad during the year and seeing him
once a year as I come into town. Juanita... You would answer the phone: "Are you in my city?" ...."yes I'm here Juanita" ...on my way to stay with you guys tonight.
And off Jarvis would go to get my favorite greasy links that I can't purchase in Chicago.
I enjoyed your company, kindness, generosity, & friendship all these years since I was a child. I'm glad GOD allowed me to grow up and treat you guys back. I'm sure that my father Louis (Jarvis' buddy from age 13)
would be proud that I kept up with the family 26 years past his demise. May our friendship not end here.... Love you Juanita! PEACE & LOVE
Lynette

Lynette Washington

December 29, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with and for all of you. Dr. Whitfield was the most kind and gentle man I have ever know.

Francis Cook

December 25, 2013

TO THE WHITFIELD FAMILY WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE DEMISE OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND OUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN FOR YEARS IN HOUSTON, TX. WE WERE BLESSED TO RECEIVE HIS PROFESSIONAL CARE IN HIS OFFICE AND IN OUR HOME. WE THANK GOD FOR HIS UNIQUE SKILLS AS A SURGEON AND HIS DEDICATION AND COMMITTMENT TO FAMILY HEALTH CARE. OUR COMMUNITY HAS LOST A MEDICAL GIANT.
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO COMFORT,BLESS, AND KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE. SINCERELY, LILLIE M. BALLARD & FAMILY

LILLIE BALLARD

December 23, 2013

To Mrs. Whitfield, Sabrina and Teryl. Dr. Whitfield was a great husband, dad and boss. I will always remember him as the hard working and decent man that he was. He was the friend, father and boss that I never had. He was unparallel. He will be sorely missed by all us who knew him back in Houston, Texas. Sending prayers, comfort and above all ...LOVE to the Whitfield family. Wanda Loveless

December 23, 2013

To Juanita, Sabrina and Terry. My prayers are with you as I am at loss for the best doctor and friend that I ever had. Sincerely, Alice A. Bonner, Houston, Texas.

Alice Bonner

December 23, 2013

Keeping you and your family in our prayers. Love you. Your long time friend Maxie M. Titus

Maxie Titus

December 23, 2013

On behalf of The Wootens, your long term neighbors from Houston, please accept our condolences on the loss of Dr. Whitfield.

Patrice Wooten Hightower

December 22, 2013

RIP cousin Jarvis. You leave a great legacy for our family history. Praying for your family that they may find peace and comfort during this time.

Pia Hughes

December 22, 2013

You are a great wise man of God. You will forever be remembered and always be missed.

Cynthia Cork

December 22, 2013

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of the love of your life. Remembering your great love story today and always.

Willadene Washington Glover

December 22, 2013

We're all better because you lived your life so well. Bishop & Mrs. Rochelle A. Hudson

Bishop Richelle A. Hudson

December 21, 2013

I thank God for Dr. Whitfield's life. His character and the example he set, as a faithful man, is truly admirable.
Thank you Dr. Whitfield.
You will be sorely missed, by us all, at Grace Congregational Church.

Amantha Brown

December 21, 2013

I love you PawPaw and you will be missed by all your loved ones! Thanks for being an example of not only a man of God but a wonderful man in general!

Sherrita Batiste

December 21, 2013

THE NIV BIBLE READS: ALL THE BELIEVERS WERE ONE IN HEART AND MIND. NO ONE CLAIMED THAT ANY OF HIS POSSESSIONS WAS HIS OWN, BUT THEY SHARED EVERYTHING THEY HAD. ACTS 4:32
SIS. WHITFIELD, IT SHOULD READ LIKE THIS: ALL THE MEMBERS OF GRACE CHURCH WERE ONE IN HEART AND MIND. THE WHITFIELDS NEVER CLAIMED THAT THEIR POSSESSIONS WERE EXCLUSIVELY THEIR OWN, BUT THEY SHARED EVERYTHING THEY HAD WITH THE CHURCH. THANK YOU BRO N SIS WHITFIELD FOR YOUR KIND AND GIVING SPIRIT. BECAUSE OF YOU I WAS ABLE TO GET A TASTE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE THE RICH LIFE, BUT WITH HUMILITY. LOL

BRO LARRY MARTIN

December 21, 2013

THE NIV BIBLE SAYS "ALL THE BELIEVERS WERE ONE IN HEART AND MIND. NO ONE CLAIMED THAT ANY OF HIS POSSESSIONS WAS HIS OWN, BUT THEY SHARED EVERYTHING THEY HAD."ACTS 4:32 SIS. WHITFIELD, IT SHOULD READ LIKE THIS: ALL BELIEVERS AT GRACE CHURCH WERE ONE IN HEART AND MIND. THE WHITFIELDS NEVER CLAIMED THAT THEIR POSSESSIONS WERE EXCLUSIVELY THEIR OWN, BUT THEY SHARED EVERYTHING THEY HAD WITH THE MEMBERS OF GRACE CHURCH. THANK YOU BRO N SIS WHITFIELD FOR YOUR KIND AND GIVING SPIRIT. BECAUSE OF YOU I WAS ABLE TO GET A TASTE OF WHAT THE RICH N FAMOUS WAS ABOUT, BUT WITH HUMILITY.LOL

BRO LARRY MARTIN

December 21, 2013

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~ unknown

Thinking of you, Dad, always and forever.

Terri

December 21, 2013

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