Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

James Robert Whitaker, age 76, of Donalsonville, Ga., passed away Saturday afternoon, April 30, 2022, at his residence.

Funeral services for Mr. Whitaker were held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Oakview Church of God with Rev. Gary Walker and Rev. Johnny Taylor officiating.  Interment followed in Friendship Cemetery with Dylan Smith, Tyler Wilson, Blake Townsend, Brett Townsend, Blake Ingram, and Johnny Wilson serving as active pallbearers. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at 1:00 PM at the church.

Mr. Whitaker was born in Donalsonville, Ga., on Sept. 25, 1945, to James Otis Whitaker and Ruby Jewel Smith Whitaker.  He served his country in the United States Navy and worked in management with Belks for many years before becoming a truck driver for Summerford Truck Lines and Reddy Truck Lines.  Mr. Whitaker was retired and enjoyed golfing, fishing, and most recently gardening.  He was a member of the Donalsonville American Legion Post and a member of Oakview Church of God.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Mary Alice Whitaker; his children, Ashlee Middleton (Gene), Angel Wilson (Johnny), and Beth Townsend (Larry); his sister, Becky Breckenridge; his brothers, Harry Whitaker (Linda) and Philip Whitaker (Darlene); his sister-in-law, Kaye Whitaker; and his brother-in-law, Charles “Buddy” North.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Dylan Smith, Brittany Ingram (Blake), Brett Townsend, Blake Townsend (Lindsay), and Tyler Wilson; as well as his great grandchildren, Elizabeth Carpenter, Presley Carpenter, and Maddy Ingram.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Mr. Whitaker was preceded in death by his parents, James Otis and Ruby Jewel Smith Whitaker; a brother, Raymond Whitaker; a sister, Frances North; and his son, Keith Medley.