United States Navy,
World War II,
Veteran,

Lawrence H. Whitis, 90 years of age, of Somerset, Kentucky, departed this life and went to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday, April 16th, 2014.

Lawrence was born on June 25th, 1923 in Pulaski County, Kentucky, son of the late Elmer and Balzora Turner Whitis. Lawrence served in World War II in the Navy Branch as a Seabee. Lawrence was former owner and operator of Whitis Market and was a retired Farmer. He was a member of Nelson Valley Baptist Church where he served as Trustee. He married his first wife, the late Retha Ping Whitis, in 1945. To this union, two daughters were born, Marcella Massey Litton and Marella Stevens. Lawrence later married Alma Petrey Whitis in 1970.

Lawrence was survived by his second wife, Alma Petrey Whitis; two daughters Marcella Massey Litton and Marella (and Don) Stevens; four grandchildren, Meshelle Massey, Bryan (and Kristie) Massey, J.R. (and Kim) Stevens, and Rodney (and Jennifer) Stevens; eleven great grandchildren, David Lee Foster, Johnny "J.M." Rhodus, Tyler Rhodus, Brittany Massey, Emily Massey, Lynsey Stevens, Abby Stevens, Tristan Purcell, Gavin Stevens, Isabella Stevens, and Benito Zaragoza; one great-great granddaughter, Astella Kaye Foster; two sisters, Anna Whitis Messenger and Mattie Whitis Powell; and a host of other family and friends who mourn his passing.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Whitis, who departed this life on April 2nd, 1968 and Balzora Whitis, who departed this life on December 30th, 1977; his first wife, Retha Ping Whitis, who departed this life on October 24th, 1968; ten siblings, Oather Whitis, Robert Whitis, Gertrude Whitis Estep, Melvin Whitis, Clarence Whitis, Ola Whitis Wells, Edna Whitis Stringer, Earl Whitis, Verel Whitis, and Beaulah Whitis.

Visitations were held on Saturday, April 19th, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Pulaski Funeral Home in Somerset, Kentucky.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 19th, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Pulaski Funeral Home.

Interment followed in the Eden Cemetery. Military honors were conducted by the American Legion Post No#38 honor guard.

THIS IS A TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF LAWRENCE,

1 Thessalonians 4. 16-18
(King James Version)

16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.