Jimmy Jo WHITAKER

Notes:

OBITUARY

MIAMI, FLORIDA - Jimmy Joe "J.J." Whitaker, 75, of Dante, Virginia, the firstborn of Ralph Lawrence and Oma Lee (Leedy) Whitaker, passed away on Sunday, January 19th, 2020 in Miami, Florida after a four-year battle with cancer.

Educated at Castlewood High School and Miami Dade College. However, his wisdom and knowledge extended far beyond his formal education. He served in the US Army. In his youth, he worked in car repair and welding. As an adult, he excelled in banking and finance and went on to be a very successful executive for the Exposition Corporation where he managed home shows in the Miami, Florida area. Jim later went on to open his own exposition company and started a successful window and door business.

Jim had many interests including breeding, raising, and training champion German Shepards. He enjoyed computers, building, and remodeling. However, Jim is best known for his enthusiasm for car racing and classic cars. He designed and built race cars that ran in the Hooters Cup, at Hialeah Speedway, and tracks all over the Southern states. Later in life he bought and modified classic cars. He won awards for his 1935 Chrysler PT convertible and displayed them with pride. He loved attending car shows with his family where he made many friends. Jim?s father once said that ?Jim never met a stranger?.

Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He loved and was loved by animals and children wherever he went. He could best be described as a dreamer, a fighter, a master communicator, and a man who always stood out in a crowd. He had a million stories which he told with such animation that you felt you were there. He captured every room he entered and made everyone laugh. Jim?s sense of humor and contagious laughter lifted spirits in all those that knew him. Jim could never be described as ordinary because he strived for and achieved exceptionalism in everything he did.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of forty-seven years, Linda Lee (Austin) Whitaker. His six children Jimmy Joe Whitaker Jr. of Georgia, Angela Becker and her husband Ken of South Carolina, Kimberly Reckles and her husband Andrew of Georgia, Scott Whitaker and his wife Monica of Georgia, Jennifer Lesek and her husband Joe of Florida, Bonnie Vedo and her husband Nick of Florida. His eleven grandchildren Amber Weber, Clayton Reckles, Natalie Whitaker, Terah Reckles, Elisa Whitaker, Alexandra Fletcher, Paige Fletcher, Bianca Partlow, Savannah Fletcher, Aniyah Whitaker, Levi Lesek, thirteen great-grandchildren, several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters Linda Cordle and Pauline Hart, and her husband Greg; aunts Betty Lou Savage, Beatrice Taylor, Joan Austin, and his uncle Boyce Whitaker, and joins his late brother Sammy Whitaker and parents mentioned above.

Jim loved being a Whitaker and was proud of his family history and instilled that in his children. He enjoyed attending the annual Whitaker reunion and catching up with his cousins and other family members. His passing leaves a huge void in our family and he will be dearly missed.

Funeral Services for Jimmy Joe ?J.J.? Whitaker will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Friday, February 7th, 2020, in Hamlin Baptist Church, 4426 Red Oak Ridge in Castlewood, Virginia with Rev. Jim Pratt officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood, Virginia. Pallbearers will be his sons, Jimmy J. Whitaker Jr. and Scott Whitaker, and his sons-in-law, Ken Becker, Andy Reckles, Joe Lesek, and Nick Vedo.

The family asks everyone to join them for a reception at the Western Front Hotel, located at 3025 Forth Avenue, St. Paul, Virginia 24283.

Birth:
Virginia, Births, 1864-2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: Jimmy Joe Whitaker
Birth Date: 22 Oct 1944
Birth Place: Russell, Virginia

Jimmy married Kathleen Doris Emmert 18 Jun 1964, Unicoi, Unicoi Co. TN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm
Name: Jimmy Joe Whitaker
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Birth Date: abt 1944
Marriage Date: 18 Jun 1964
Marriage Place: Unicoi, Tennessee
Spouse: Kathleen Doris Emmert
Age: 18
Birth Date: abt 1946

Jimmy married Joy Lynn Boyd Feb 1965, Dade Co. FL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Florida Department of Health. Florida Marriage Index, 1927-2001. Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, Florida
Name: Jimmy J Whitaker
Spouse: Joy Lynn Boyd
County of Marriage: Dade
Marriage Date: Feb 1965
Volume: 2295
Certificate: 7016
Source: Florida Department of Health

1. James Joseph WHITAKER, Jr.
2. Angela Lynn WHITAKER
3. Scott Travis WHITAKER
4. Kimberly Dawn WHITAKER

Jimmy married Linda Lee Austin. [Group Sheet]

1. Jennifer Jane WHITAKER
2. Bonnie Lynn WHITAKER

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Ralph Whitaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1924
Birthplace: North Carolina
Race: White
Home in 1930: Elkhorn City, Pike, Kentucky
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: John H Whittaker
Father's Birthplace: West Virginia
Mother's Name: Vera Whittaker
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia

Birth:
North Carolina, Birth Indexes, 1800-2000
Name: Lawrence Ralph Whitaker
Event Type: Birth
Birth Date: 1923
Birth County: Rutherford
Parent1 Name: John Henry Whitaker
Parent2 Name: Vera Jane Rushbrook
Roll Number: NCVR_B_C086_66001
Volume: 9
Page: 250

Buried:
Grave location, portraits, and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=73614006

Ralph married Oma Lee Leedy. Oma was born 25 Apr 1927, Floyd Co. KY; died 30 May 2006, Unicoi Co. TN; was buried , Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, Unicoi Co. TN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location, tombstone photo, obituary, and portrait:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=93248993

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: John H Whitaker
Age: 7
Birth Date: Oct 1893
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1900: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Jerry Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Rebeca Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: John H Whitaker
Age in 1910: 17
Birth Year: abt 1893
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1910: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Lew Whitaker [Lou]
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: John H Whitaker
Age: 27
Birth Year: abt 1893
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1920: Cool Spring, Rutherford, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Vera Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia
Household Members:
John H Whitaker 27
Vera Whitaker 27
Sylva Whitaker 4
Mckinley Whitaker 2 years 2 months
John Whitaker 1

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: John H Whittaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1893
Birthplace: West Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Elkhorn City, Pike, Kentucky
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Vera Whittaker
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia
Household Members:
John H Whittaker 37
Vera Whittaker 37
Sylvia Whittaker 15
Mckinley Whitaker 12
John H Whitaker 11
Edward Whitaker 10
Doris B Whitaker 9
Harry Whitaker 7
Ralph Whitaker 6
Phyllis Whitaker 5
Virginia Whitaker 4 years 6 months
Billy Whitaker 3 years 1 month
Margaret Whitaker 1 year 8 months
Betty Lou Whitaker 0 [less than 1 month]

Birth:
World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
Name: John Henry Whitaker
Birth Date: 21 Oct 1892
Birth Place: Burwind, West Virginia
Residence: Russell, Virginia
Race: White

Buried:
Grave location, tombstone photo, portrait:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=93248817

John married Vera Jane Rushbrook 21 Sep 1914, Monroe Co. WV. Vera was born 21 Aug 1892, Monroe Co. WV; died 27 Dec 1955, Abingdon, Washington Co. VA; was buried , Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, Russell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location and portrait:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=93248470

Notes:

Married:
West Virginia Vital Records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=11379675&Type=Marriage

Other Events:

• _UID: E1855D33F962462F97EEE624B6EB9155DC2F

Notes:

Migrated to KY. Married there. First wife died, and he returned to VA, possibly the Abingdon area.
McDowell Co WV records have a Jerry Whitaker, son of John, who married Lorena Rebecca Louise Harman, born 1868, d/o Henry Mitchell Harman and Susan Christian. Henry was the grandson of Matthias Harman who had extensive land holdings in McDowell Co WV and Tazewell Co. VA. The family called him Uncle Jerry.

1880 United States Federal Census about Jeremiah Whitaker
Name: Jeremiah Whitaker
Age: 10
Birth Year: abt 1870
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: John Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Nancy Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Jerry Whitaker
Age: 28
Birth Date: Nov 1871
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Rebeca Whitaker
Marriage Year: 1892
Years Married: 8
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Jerry Whitaker 28
Rebeca Whitaker 29
John H Whitaker 7
Vergia Whitaker 5
William M Whitaker 2
Wade Whitaker 6 months


Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=113087087

Jeremiah married Rebecca Lorraine (Lou) Harman 25 Nov 1891, McDowell Co. WV. Rebecca (daughter of Henry Mitchell HARMAN) was born 24 Mar 1868, Tazewell Co. VA; died 24 Aug 1944, Welch, McDowell Co. WV; was buried , Harman Cemetery, Avondale, McDowell Co. WV. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location and portrait:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24012083

Died:
West Virginia Death Certificate
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=435324&Type=Death

Notes:

Married:
West Virginia Vital Records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=11390822&Type=Marriage
Line 40