"And now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.-1 Corinthians 13:13" Thus, exemplifies the life well-lived of Josephine Bernice Lightfoot Whitsett.
Daughter of the late Joseph Branoke Lightfoot and Emily Lewis Lightfoot. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by four sisters, Hattie Lightfoot DeBerry, Helen Lightfoot Paige, Evelyn Lightfoot Johnson, and Dorothy Lightfoot Conrad. She was the only surviving triplet whose two brothers, John and Joseph, died as young children.
Surviving her are three beloved children, Bernadette Whitsett-Hammond of Charlottesville, Virginia, Bernard D. Whitsett II of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Joselyn Whitsett Bell of Chicago, Illinois; two devoted sisters, Alma Lightfoot Mills of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Deloris Lightfoot Jackson of Passaic, New Jersey; six cherished grandchildren, two adored great-grandchildren, devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and two beloved pet companions, "Charlie" and "Tati" whose daily antics brightened her days.
Mrs. Whitsett was a product of the Charlottesville City Schools, having attended Jefferson Elementary School and Jefferson High School during the period of segregation. She furthered her education at Hampton University located in Hampton, Virginia, graduating in 1947 with a degree in elementary education. She returned to her hometown to teach and taught at both Jefferson Elementary and Clark Elementary Schools. Mrs. Whitsett did so for over 20 years before deciding to pursue a Master's degree in education at the University of Virginia. Upon receiving this degree, she obtained a position as a guidance counselor at Lane High School and then later at Charlottesville High School, retiring in 1986, after 39 yrs of service to the public school system.
Throughout Mrs. Whitsett's career, she embraced all children, regardless of race, creed or color, earning their and their parents utmost respect. Her former students and counselees remember her as a caring, concerned professional who would do whatever necessary to assist them in their pursuit of an education and a productive future. Her calm comforting and encouraging disposition often led others to request Mrs. Whitsett as a teacher or as a guidance counselor. Mrs. Whitsett led an active life. She was one of the oldest Deaconesses at her beloved, Ebenezer Baptist Church. During her membership, she served in various ministries and on several committees such as director of the Senior Choir, co-director of the Youth Choir, member of both the Baptist Training Union ( B.T.U.) and the E.D. McCreary Trustee Auxiliary, to name a few. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Whitsett was a charter member of the Gamma Iota Chapter at Hampton University as well as the Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter. She assisted in the establishment of the undergraduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Rho, on the campus of the University of Virginia in 1973. She served as one of this chapter's first advisors. In 1998, Mrs. Whitsett was recognized for over 50 years of service in Delta. Last year in July 2013, she was honored by the Gamma Iota Chapter, her alma mater's chapter, at a reception held in Washington, D.C., during the national centennial celebration of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Other awards Mrs. Whitsett received included: selected as one of Charlottesville's "Distinguished Dozen" (2008), selected as one of Zion Union Baptist Church's honorees for Women's Day (2011), selected as the recipient of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch of the NAACP's Virginia Banks Carrington Humanitarian Award (2012) and selected as one of the honorees for the African American Mother's Brunch sponsored by the Xi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (2014). She served on the Janie Porter Barrett Board of Directors; affiliated with the Wars-Clark-Edloe-Hagan (W.C.E.H.) Neighborhood Association; was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Monticello Chapter #43 Order of the Eastern Star.
Two special highlights in Mrs. Whitsett's life included a tour of the White House in May 2009, during the first term of Barack Obama's presidency. Having grown up during segregated times, the opportunity to visit the nation's home while the United States' first African American President was in office was an occasion she did not believe she would have lived to witness. The second highlight was her 90th birthday celebration. In November 2013, a reception was held at her church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, attended by many well-wishers.
Family visitation was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 113 6th St. NW., Charlottesville, VA. A Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Omega Omega Ceremony was also held. A Celebration of Life service was at Ebenezer Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Lehman D. Bates II officiating. Interment with the Eastern Star rites will occur immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery, Oak and First Streets, Charlottesville, Virginia. Arrangements provided by McClenny Funeral Service, LLC.
Daughter of the late Joseph Branoke Lightfoot and Emily Lewis Lightfoot. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by four sisters, Hattie Lightfoot DeBerry, Helen Lightfoot Paige, Evelyn Lightfoot Johnson, and Dorothy Lightfoot Conrad. She was the only surviving triplet whose two brothers, John and Joseph, died as young children.
Surviving her are three beloved children, Bernadette Whitsett-Hammond of Charlottesville, Virginia, Bernard D. Whitsett II of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Joselyn Whitsett Bell of Chicago, Illinois; two devoted sisters, Alma Lightfoot Mills of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Deloris Lightfoot Jackson of Passaic, New Jersey; six cherished grandchildren, two adored great-grandchildren, devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and two beloved pet companions, "Charlie" and "Tati" whose daily antics brightened her days.
Mrs. Whitsett was a product of the Charlottesville City Schools, having attended Jefferson Elementary School and Jefferson High School during the period of segregation. She furthered her education at Hampton University located in Hampton, Virginia, graduating in 1947 with a degree in elementary education. She returned to her hometown to teach and taught at both Jefferson Elementary and Clark Elementary Schools. Mrs. Whitsett did so for over 20 years before deciding to pursue a Master's degree in education at the University of Virginia. Upon receiving this degree, she obtained a position as a guidance counselor at Lane High School and then later at Charlottesville High School, retiring in 1986, after 39 yrs of service to the public school system.
Throughout Mrs. Whitsett's career, she embraced all children, regardless of race, creed or color, earning their and their parents utmost respect. Her former students and counselees remember her as a caring, concerned professional who would do whatever necessary to assist them in their pursuit of an education and a productive future. Her calm comforting and encouraging disposition often led others to request Mrs. Whitsett as a teacher or as a guidance counselor. Mrs. Whitsett led an active life. She was one of the oldest Deaconesses at her beloved, Ebenezer Baptist Church. During her membership, she served in various ministries and on several committees such as director of the Senior Choir, co-director of the Youth Choir, member of both the Baptist Training Union ( B.T.U.) and the E.D. McCreary Trustee Auxiliary, to name a few. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Whitsett was a charter member of the Gamma Iota Chapter at Hampton University as well as the Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter. She assisted in the establishment of the undergraduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Rho, on the campus of the University of Virginia in 1973. She served as one of this chapter's first advisors. In 1998, Mrs. Whitsett was recognized for over 50 years of service in Delta. Last year in July 2013, she was honored by the Gamma Iota Chapter, her alma mater's chapter, at a reception held in Washington, D.C., during the national centennial celebration of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Other awards Mrs. Whitsett received included: selected as one of Charlottesville's "Distinguished Dozen" (2008), selected as one of Zion Union Baptist Church's honorees for Women's Day (2011), selected as the recipient of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch of the NAACP's Virginia Banks Carrington Humanitarian Award (2012) and selected as one of the honorees for the African American Mother's Brunch sponsored by the Xi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (2014). She served on the Janie Porter Barrett Board of Directors; affiliated with the Wars-Clark-Edloe-Hagan (W.C.E.H.) Neighborhood Association; was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Monticello Chapter #43 Order of the Eastern Star.
Two special highlights in Mrs. Whitsett's life included a tour of the White House in May 2009, during the first term of Barack Obama's presidency. Having grown up during segregated times, the opportunity to visit the nation's home while the United States' first African American President was in office was an occasion she did not believe she would have lived to witness. The second highlight was her 90th birthday celebration. In November 2013, a reception was held at her church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, attended by many well-wishers.
Family visitation was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 113 6th St. NW., Charlottesville, VA. A Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Omega Omega Ceremony was also held. A Celebration of Life service was at Ebenezer Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Lehman D. Bates II officiating. Interment with the Eastern Star rites will occur immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery, Oak and First Streets, Charlottesville, Virginia. Arrangements provided by McClenny Funeral Service, LLC.
"And now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.-1 Corinthians 13:13" Thus, exemplifies the life well-lived of Josephine Bernice Lightfoot Whitsett.
Daughter of the late Joseph Branoke Lightfoot and Emily Lewis Lightfoot. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by four sisters, Hattie Lightfoot DeBerry, Helen Lightfoot Paige, Evelyn Lightfoot Johnson, and Dorothy Lightfoot Conrad. She was the only surviving triplet whose two brothers, John and Joseph, died as young children.
Surviving her are three beloved children, Bernadette Whitsett-Hammond of Charlottesville, Virginia, Bernard D. Whitsett II of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Joselyn Whitsett Bell of Chicago, Illinois; two devoted sisters, Alma Lightfoot Mills of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Deloris Lightfoot Jackson of Passaic, New Jersey; six cherished grandchildren, two adored great-grandchildren, devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and two beloved pet companions, "Charlie" and "Tati" whose daily antics brightened her days.
Mrs. Whitsett was a product of the Charlottesville City Schools, having attended Jefferson Elementary School and Jefferson High School during the period of segregation. She furthered her education at Hampton University located in Hampton, Virginia, graduating in 1947 with a degree in elementary education. She returned to her hometown to teach and taught at both Jefferson Elementary and Clark Elementary Schools. Mrs. Whitsett did so for over 20 years before deciding to pursue a Master's degree in education at the University of Virginia. Upon receiving this degree, she obtained a position as a guidance counselor at Lane High School and then later at Charlottesville High School, retiring in 1986, after 39 yrs of service to the public school system.
Throughout Mrs. Whitsett's career, she embraced all children, regardless of race, creed or color, earning their and their parents utmost respect. Her former students and counselees remember her as a caring, concerned professional who would do whatever necessary to assist them in their pursuit of an education and a productive future. Her calm comforting and encouraging disposition often led others to request Mrs. Whitsett as a teacher or as a guidance counselor. Mrs. Whitsett led an active life. She was one of the oldest Deaconesses at her beloved, Ebenezer Baptist Church. During her membership, she served in various ministries and on several committees such as director of the Senior Choir, co-director of the Youth Choir, member of both the Baptist Training Union ( B.T.U.) and the E.D. McCreary Trustee Auxiliary, to name a few. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Whitsett was a charter member of the Gamma Iota Chapter at Hampton University as well as the Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter. She assisted in the establishment of the undergraduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Rho, on the campus of the University of Virginia in 1973. She served as one of this chapter's first advisors. In 1998, Mrs. Whitsett was recognized for over 50 years of service in Delta. Last year in July 2013, she was honored by the Gamma Iota Chapter, her alma mater's chapter, at a reception held in Washington, D.C., during the national centennial celebration of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Other awards Mrs. Whitsett received included: selected as one of Charlottesville's "Distinguished Dozen" (2008), selected as one of Zion Union Baptist Church's honorees for Women's Day (2011), selected as the recipient of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch of the NAACP's Virginia Banks Carrington Humanitarian Award (2012) and selected as one of the honorees for the African American Mother's Brunch sponsored by the Xi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (2014). She served on the Janie Porter Barrett Board of Directors; affiliated with the Wars-Clark-Edloe-Hagan (W.C.E.H.) Neighborhood Association; was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Monticello Chapter #43 Order of the Eastern Star.
Two special highlights in Mrs. Whitsett's life included a tour of the White House in May 2009, during the first term of Barack Obama's presidency. Having grown up during segregated times, the opportunity to visit the nation's home while the United States' first African American President was in office was an occasion she did not believe she would have lived to witness. The second highlight was her 90th birthday celebration. In November 2013, a reception was held at her church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, attended by many well-wishers.
Family visitation was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 113 6th St. NW., Charlottesville, VA. A Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Omega Omega Ceremony was also held. A Celebration of Life service was at Ebenezer Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Lehman D. Bates II officiating. Interment with the Eastern Star rites will occur immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery, Oak and First Streets, Charlottesville, Virginia. Arrangements provided by McClenny Funeral Service, LLC.
Daughter of the late Joseph Branoke Lightfoot and Emily Lewis Lightfoot. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by four sisters, Hattie Lightfoot DeBerry, Helen Lightfoot Paige, Evelyn Lightfoot Johnson, and Dorothy Lightfoot Conrad. She was the only surviving triplet whose two brothers, John and Joseph, died as young children.
Surviving her are three beloved children, Bernadette Whitsett-Hammond of Charlottesville, Virginia, Bernard D. Whitsett II of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Joselyn Whitsett Bell of Chicago, Illinois; two devoted sisters, Alma Lightfoot Mills of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Deloris Lightfoot Jackson of Passaic, New Jersey; six cherished grandchildren, two adored great-grandchildren, devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and two beloved pet companions, "Charlie" and "Tati" whose daily antics brightened her days.
Mrs. Whitsett was a product of the Charlottesville City Schools, having attended Jefferson Elementary School and Jefferson High School during the period of segregation. She furthered her education at Hampton University located in Hampton, Virginia, graduating in 1947 with a degree in elementary education. She returned to her hometown to teach and taught at both Jefferson Elementary and Clark Elementary Schools. Mrs. Whitsett did so for over 20 years before deciding to pursue a Master's degree in education at the University of Virginia. Upon receiving this degree, she obtained a position as a guidance counselor at Lane High School and then later at Charlottesville High School, retiring in 1986, after 39 yrs of service to the public school system.
Throughout Mrs. Whitsett's career, she embraced all children, regardless of race, creed or color, earning their and their parents utmost respect. Her former students and counselees remember her as a caring, concerned professional who would do whatever necessary to assist them in their pursuit of an education and a productive future. Her calm comforting and encouraging disposition often led others to request Mrs. Whitsett as a teacher or as a guidance counselor. Mrs. Whitsett led an active life. She was one of the oldest Deaconesses at her beloved, Ebenezer Baptist Church. During her membership, she served in various ministries and on several committees such as director of the Senior Choir, co-director of the Youth Choir, member of both the Baptist Training Union ( B.T.U.) and the E.D. McCreary Trustee Auxiliary, to name a few. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Whitsett was a charter member of the Gamma Iota Chapter at Hampton University as well as the Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter. She assisted in the establishment of the undergraduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Rho, on the campus of the University of Virginia in 1973. She served as one of this chapter's first advisors. In 1998, Mrs. Whitsett was recognized for over 50 years of service in Delta. Last year in July 2013, she was honored by the Gamma Iota Chapter, her alma mater's chapter, at a reception held in Washington, D.C., during the national centennial celebration of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Other awards Mrs. Whitsett received included: selected as one of Charlottesville's "Distinguished Dozen" (2008), selected as one of Zion Union Baptist Church's honorees for Women's Day (2011), selected as the recipient of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch of the NAACP's Virginia Banks Carrington Humanitarian Award (2012) and selected as one of the honorees for the African American Mother's Brunch sponsored by the Xi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (2014). She served on the Janie Porter Barrett Board of Directors; affiliated with the Wars-Clark-Edloe-Hagan (W.C.E.H.) Neighborhood Association; was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Monticello Chapter #43 Order of the Eastern Star.
Two special highlights in Mrs. Whitsett's life included a tour of the White House in May 2009, during the first term of Barack Obama's presidency. Having grown up during segregated times, the opportunity to visit the nation's home while the United States' first African American President was in office was an occasion she did not believe she would have lived to witness. The second highlight was her 90th birthday celebration. In November 2013, a reception was held at her church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, attended by many well-wishers.
Family visitation was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 113 6th St. NW., Charlottesville, VA. A Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Omega Omega Ceremony was also held. A Celebration of Life service was at Ebenezer Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Lehman D. Bates II officiating. Interment with the Eastern Star rites will occur immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery, Oak and First Streets, Charlottesville, Virginia. Arrangements provided by McClenny Funeral Service, LLC.
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