Robert Edsel Whitaker

On the morning of November 27, 2025, Thanksgiving Day, the Lord welcomed Robert Edsel Whitaker into His eternal embrace. He was born on April 14,1936 in Grandfield, Oklahoma. A devoted man of faith and family, he lived his beliefs by showing humility, kindness and had a heart, eager to love and help others. His walk with God was evident in the way he loved and served his wife, family and others.
Edsel married the love of his life, Helen Louise McBryde, on October 23, 1958, at the home of their pastor in Kellerville, TX. They shared 64 blissful years until the Lord called her home in 2023. It was very important to Edsel and Helen that their 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild knew they were loved by them and by God.
Edsel proudly served the United States Army during the Cuban Crisis and went on to serve the Texas Highway Department and retired from Great Plains Coca- Cola. Retirement was not a slowdown for Edsel as it meant more time to love his family, serve others, mow lawns, joke around and eat biscuits and gravy.
He loved people and loved to make people smile. He never knew a stranger and wanted to make sure he shared a laugh and the gospel with everyone he encountered, a trait he passed onto his children.
He is proceeded in death by his parents Robert Kelly and Katie (Easly) Whitaker, his wife Helen Louise (McBryde) Whitaker, his brother Wendell Dewayne Whitaker and sister Marjorie (Whitaker) and Dewitt Hawkins. He is survived by his sister Kathryn and H.B. Krug of Keaton, TX, his children Ronald Wade and Connie Whitaker of Rogers, AR, Helen Roberta and Bob Wright of Greenwood, MO, Gordon Dale and Michelle Whitaker of Paducah, TX, and Deborah Denise and Carl Pearson of Independence, MO, his 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild all whom were blessed by his steady love, gentle guidance and unwavering faith.
Visitation will be 12:30 – 1:30 Wednesday, December 3, 2025, with a celebration of life beginning at 1:30 pm at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N 4th St, Rogers, AR, 72756. Graveside services to follow at Pea Ridge Cemetery in Pea Ridge, AR. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven. " Matthew 5:16