Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Timothy Wayne Whitaker
Timothy Wayne Whitaker
Obituary
Guest Book
Timothy Whitaker Obituary
Publish in a newspaper
Born on October 5, 1948 in Vicksburg, MS, he was the son of the late Ernest O. and Dorothy Graddy Whitaker.
Timothy graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS and received a Masters of Divinity from Emory University. He also received two honorary Doctoral degrees from Florida Southern University and Bethune-Cookman University. Timothy served in congregations in Mississippi, Virginia and Florida. He was the District Superintendent for Norfolk, retiring after serving 12 years as Bishop of the UMC in Florida.
Tim, as he was called by everyone, had many interests in life. Growing up in the forests of Redwood, MS, he developed a life-long appreciation of trees, skies, and all of God's creatures. This led him to be on a continual litter patrol in his community in retirement so that others could appreciate nature as well. He also enjoyed sailing the creeks around the Eastern Shore in his small sailboat and cycling the country roads and city streets to relax his body and mind.
As a gifted theologian, Tim was able to read and understand the most obscure and difficult writings of erudite theologians from all historical periods and then translate the knowledge so that all could understand it. He also had a deep love of poetry that fed his soul throughout his life. Tim remained a teacher to all until the end of his life through writings and through his total acceptance of God's will for him. Through this he strengthened the faith of friends and family.
Other than his wife, Melba, Timothy is survived by two sons, Steven "Scott" Whitaker and wife, Michele of Onley, VA and Richard "Eric" Whitaker and wife, Mary Thao of Tucson, AZ; two brothers, Clarence A. Whitaker (Betty) of Vicksburg, MS and Stanley E. Whitaker of Vicksburg, MS; and five grandsons, Thor, Ivan, Brian, Timothy and Richard Whitaker.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 1:30PM from Johnson's United Methodist Church in Machipongo with Rev.Curtis Lucy officiating. Interment will follow in the Johnson's United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund for Quessua, a cluster of villages, churches and schools in the East Angola Conference of the United Methodist Church. As bishop, Tim was instrumental in establishing a covenant with this unique place and was asked by the young people there to focus on education for them. Checks can be made to "FLUMC Treasurer" with "Adv # 102020 - East Angola Scholarship" on memo line and sent to:
ATTN: Icel Rodriquez
450 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
Arrangements are by the Thornton Funeral Home in Parksley, VA.
To sign the guest book online, visit: www.thorntonfuneralhome.net
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tim, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Dr, Daniel Parrish
April 13, 2024
I thank him for believing in me with my final appointment during his tenure as our Bishop. Dr. Daniel Parrish
David Gill
April 3, 2024
I was inspired by Bishop Whittaker´s dedication to our LORD and his knowledge of the early church & th Wesley brothers. But I am most grateful for how he supported me when I was having a problem in one of the churches I served. He was a person of grace!
David Gill
David Broadbent
April 2, 2024
I saw Tim at our Florida Conference. He always remembered my name and asked about my wife and children. He deeply cared for us for which I am grateful.
Jorge Acevedo
April 2, 2024
Bishop Tim Whitaker outran us to the Father's house on Maundy Thursday. I have several memories of him etched in my mind that I'd like to share:
When he came to be our Florida Resident Bishop, he did a tour of the Districts to meet pastors and churches. In his initial address to the pastors, he claimed his role to be a Theologian-in-Residence for us. He used a phrase that I will never forget as it captured the Bishop's keen mind. "I will now come down from the heights of medieval scholasticism..." What a mind! That was my Bishop!
When Grace Church was embarking on adopting declining and closed churches as campuses, our team put together a "Playbook" to help us maintain a common mission, vision, values, strategy, structure and theology. I sent it to Bishop Whitaker for his evaluation and approval and scheduled a time to meet with him in Lakeland. I went into his office with my stomach churning, hoping that what we did was in keeping with our Discipline. I asked if he had any concerns and he said, "I do have one." Now, my stomach was in my throat. "You have as one of your core values, 'We are passionately Jesus-centered.' No, you are not, Jorge. Grace Church is passionately God-centered, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." He was right. We changed it immediately. That was my Bishop!
One summer we were together at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina and frankly, I wanted to impress my brilliant Bishop, so I said to him, "Bishop, I'm reading N. T. Wright's book, 'Surprised by Hope,'" hoping (catch it?) it would impress him. My truth was that this book was a slow read because of N.T. Wright's brilliance as well. To which Bishop Whitaker responded, "I appreciate Bishop Wright's devotional material, but what I really enjoy are his biblical and theological tome's." He lovingly put me in my place. That was my Bishop!
My last memory of Bishop Whitaker was when he and I were standing next to one another on the stage of Stuart Auditorium during his last session of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference as the Florida Bishop. The other Bishop's were appropriately wearing their robes and regalia for the worship service, but Bishop Whitaker was wearing a cotton alb with a simple rope around his waist. Such humility! That was my Bishop!
Well done good and faithful servant.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Lori Goforth Shaw
April 2, 2024
Reverend Whitaker was instrumental to my faith formation. Please know I am sending heartfelt condolences to his family.
Marilyn Groves
April 2, 2024
Prayers for the whole family.
My now deceased husband David Groves was a pastor in Hillsborough and Polk County, FL and was a dear friend. Timothy will be missed and remembered by thousands of faith filled people.
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
24183 Chadbourne St, Parksley, VA 23421
Make a Donation
in Timothy Whitaker's name
People and places connected with Timothy
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Timothy's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Timothy Whitaker's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
