Josephine Flood Whiting

1928 - 2022

WHITING, Ms. Josephine Flood, A much beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, mentor, friend and educator, Josephine Flood Whiting (affectionately known as Jo, Nana or Nana Jo), passed peacefully at her home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on June 10, 2022. Born on September 22, 1928 to Vancie Vann and Willie Walter Flood in Winton, N.C., she was the seventh of nine siblings. She was preceded in death by her parents; and eight of her nine siblings, Minnie Flood Reynolds (David), Henry Walter Flood, Virginia Dare Buford, Ashley Louis Flood (Ernestine), Nancy Flood Hall (Oris), Willie Beatrice Anderson (Turner), James Edward Flood (Hilma). She is survived by her brother, Dr. Dudley E. Flood (Barbara); and sister-in-law, Ernistine. An academic achiever, Josephine graduaed with high honors with a B.S. in Physical Education and Biology from Hampton Institute in January 1952. At Hampton, she was the co-chairman of the Student Christian Association, a member of the student council, majorette, the only woman on the debate team and the captain of the debate team. Rather than admit Jo to a state school to obtain an advance degree, the State of Virginia paid for Jo to attend Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts where she obtained her Master of Arts degree in 1958. For 56 years, Jo resided in Richmond, Va., working as an educator, raising her family and living a purposeful, impactful life filled with laughter, love and service to others. As a young teacher, she challenged her students to succeed. More imporantly, she provided her students with the resources and tools to succeed in life, despite the challenges of poverty and social injustice that she herself faced growing up poor in the Jim Crow south. She and her siblings lived the motto "carry as you climb" starting with each sibling helping the other to attain a college degree if they so desired. She was a lifelong philanthropist giving of her time, talent and treasure to those in need. She taught at Blackwell Middle school and was a guidance counselor at Elkart Middle School, where she helped implement desegregation. She advocated for students to ensure all were treated fairly and became a respected leader amongst her colleagues. She ended her career at Marshall - Walker High School where it was said by one of her teachers she was the "quintessental professional who always put children first."

She was a selfless, loving, caring, wise, witty, fun-loving mother and grandmother. She married Walter B. Whiting Sr. in in 1956 and had two children, Walter Bernard Whiting Jr. and Vanessa L. Whiting, to whom she was devoted. Her gifts to her children and her grandchildren, Taylor, Lorin, Tony II and Theo included her time (she retired early to help raise her grandchildren), sage advice, wisdom, love and laughter. She would dispense wisdom in outrageously funny witicisms that one could not help but remember. Her storytelling was legendary. A renaissance woman, she instilled in them her love of the arts, religion, travel, games, music, poetry and sports. She attended Cavs games with her son-in-law, Tony Smith in Cleveland. She loved to play Scrabble and pinochle with her friends in the pinochle club who gathered together for nearly 56 years. They were family. She traveled the world, taking her last trip to Africa at age 89 with her daughter and granddaughters. She took the continent by storm. She was an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church holding many leadership positions, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and a staunch supporter of the Hampton Alumni Association, where she served as National President from 1988 to 1989. She is survived by her children, Bernard Whiting Jr. (Shelley Woods), Vanessa L. Whiting (Anthony E. Smith, deceased); her grandchildren, Taylor Alexandria Dyese Smith, Lorin Amara Smith, Anthony E. Smith II and Theordore B. Whiting; neices, Trinnette Sharp and Geneva Ferguson; nephew, Gilbert Reynolds; and Nathaniel Mitchell, who was like a bonus son; and a host of grandnieces and nephews and dear friends.

Family will recieve friends Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23223, with the memorial service commencing at 12 noon.

Viewing: Friday, June 24, 2022 from 1 to 2 p.m. Hertford County Undertakers, 416 S. Main Street, Winton, N.C. Interment, Winton First Baptist Cemetery, Route 45, Winton, N.C. at 2:30 p.m.