Search by Name
Search by Name
TUPELO – James H. Whatley, 91, died Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Page Greenhouse at United Methodist Senior Services in Tupelo following a long active life. He was born Nov. 15, 1922, in Broxton, Ga. A patriotic American, he was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight officer from 1942 to 1946. He married Gladys Scott on Jan. 25, 1947, a marriage that lasted 67 years. He received his B.A. from Mississippi College in 1950 and an M.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1951. He and his wife moved to Tupelo in 1951 where he was football coach and teacher for the Tupelo Public School System. He retired in 1992 after many years in sales for Waste Management. He was an avid golfer, loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church.
A celebration of life service will be at 3 p.m. today, April 20, in the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Dr. David Eldridge officiating. Burial will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will be today from 2 p.m. until service time.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Gladys Scott Whatley of Tupelo; a daughter, Phyllis Trevathan (David) of Madison; a son, Scotty Whatley (Stephanie) of Tupelo; three grandchildren, Lee Trevathan of Washington, D.C., Scott Trevathan of Canton and Dayton Rogers of Tupelo; two great-grandchildren, Darby Trevathan and James Stone Trevathan; a brother-in-law, Bobby Ward of Columbus; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Evelyn Walters and Virginia Ward.
Pallbearers will be Lee and Scott Trevathan, Dayton Rogers, George Taylor, Billy Hodges, Bill Burge, Dudley Walker, Dr. Bobby Dale and Joe O'Callaghan.
Honorary pallbearers will be Duck Holland, Herb Denton, George Govotas and Ray Thornton.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1008, Tupelo, MS 38802.
Condolences may be emailed to [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
With deepest condolences. We are never prepared for such a deep loss so I hope you find some comfort in the memories & joys you had and know sickness, pain and death that we deal with now will one day be no more for this has been promised to us.
April 19, 2014
Mama Gladys,
My heart is breaking for your family. I wish I could be there to give you a hug, but know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
I Love You!!!
Cheri Ellis-Schekman
April 18, 2014
Gladys, Mickey and I are out of town and were so sorry to hear about James. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Babs
April 18, 2014
Sorry to hear of your loss. He was a good friend and we had some great times together.
Buddy and Ellie Prude
April 18, 2014
Prayers are being lifted for you and your family.
Frances and MC Ellis
April 18, 2014
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Funeral services provided by:
Holland Funeral Directors - Tupelo Chapel5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more