Floyd Joe Whitaker

Floyd Joe Whitaker, of Frankfort, Ky., passed away on September 25, 2025, less than two weeks after celebrating his 92nd birthday. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2025, at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home, 312 Washington Street, Frankfort, Ky. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. service time on Monday. Born on September 12, 1933, in the coal-town hills of Jeff, Ky., to Leck H. and Minne Fraley Whitaker, Joe was the 11th of 14 children. After graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1952, Joe set his sights on a career in education, earning both his Bachelor's in K-12 education and Master's in education administration from Eastern Kentucky University. He taught high school science at West Point Independent School and Meade County High School. Joe went on to serve several roles in education administration in Franklin County: he was assistant principal at Bridgeport Elementary, principal of Elkhorn School, and the founding principal of Elkhorn Middle School. His final role as director of pupil personnel at the Franklin County Board of Education marked the capstone of 30 and a half years of service in public education before his retirement in 1988. Joe was an accomplished woodworker and craftsman, spending countless hours meticulously building furniture, framing pictures and making wooden crafts. He was a man of faith, and was a member of Highland Christian Church and Graefenburg Christian Church. Joe was married to the love of his life, Jennie Ann (Hoover), for 64 years. Together they raised two daughters, Rhonda Whitaker Armstrong and Vera Michelle Whitaker, and watched their family grow with the arrival of grandchildren Lauren Armstrong Parsons (Matt) and Seth Armstrong (Danielle), and great-grandchildren Ben and Lucy, who brought him endless joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, all 13 of his siblings, and his wife. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Backpack Snack Program at First Christian Church, 316 Ann Street, Frankfort, Ky or to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.