1922
2017
Frances "Rusty" Whittle
Frances "Rusty" Whittle joined her beloved husband, James Kennard Whittle, in rest and peace on November 27, 2017. Rusty was born on November 25, 1922 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She left her adored home in the Shenandoah Valley during WWII, working as a secretary in the Pentagon before joining the reconstruction effort in Europe during the closing months of the conflict. She met, fell in love, and married Ken Whittle in Vienna, Austria, where he was stationed at the time. Together, they enjoyed several years of work and travel throughout Europe before returning to the US to begin the postwar period. Ken began working for IBM, and moved the couple within the country, finally settling in Westport, Connecticut in 1967. They continued to travel, living in Tokyo, Japan, and Brussels, Belgium, before Ken retired and they moved to Tallahassee in 1985.
Ever adventurous, fearless and open to experience, Rusty continued to travel, often with Ken, sometimes on her own, throughout Asia, Europe, Northern Africa, South America, and the US. Ever kind, generous, and caring, she spent much of her time (when she was not touring the world), doing and making things for her friends, family, and people in general. An excellent cook and seamstress, she spent countless hours preparing food, baking cookies and cakes, sewing clothes, place mats, quilts, and gifts.
She was a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), and enjoyed many meetings, dinners, and activities with the sisterhood for many years.
A devout Christian, she believed and lived her life serving God, comforting others, loving her husband and family. She truly enjoyed the process of living, learning, and being alive in this wondrous and beautiful world. She loved the arts, especially music, and reveled in the simple things- a yard full of birds, a lovely sunset, and the healing powers of chocolate and ice cream.
She is survived by her son, Scott, her foster daughter, Pat Felhman, Pat's husband John and their children Tonya, Scott, Jennifer and Brittany, her in-laws W. Oziel Whittle, and Betty Nell Butler.
A memorial service will be held at the chapel at St. Paul's Methodist Church, 1700 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee FL, at 3:00pm on Sunday, 3rd.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Florida chapter of the PEO in her name.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home, Quincy FL, 850-627-7677, is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Charles McClellan Funeral Home.
3 Entries
We were saddened by the passing of your Mother. Please except our deepest condolences.
Robert and Virginia McPherson
December 4, 2017
Sending all our love, with such fond memories of all of the Whittles from our Westport family.
Linda Justice
Linda Justice
December 2, 2017
Considerate and independent to the end! Rusty lived her life by her own terms. Strong and loving. Peaceful and caring. She let you know how she felt. Becoming pregnant first at 40 years old, Scott was a shock, but a loving expression of Rusty and Ken. She was the main writer of the Whittle letter that progressed every year through the family as each household would add to the letter letting everyone know what was going on with them. She will be missed!
Kelly Gregg
December 1, 2017
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