Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Atkinson Whitman, 94, of Magnolia passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016. She was born on May 8, 1922 to the late Thomas Hadley and Nettie Long Atkinson in Duplin County.
After graduating from Kenansville School, she married the late Rodolph Whitman and started a family. Their marriage welcomed seven children, who can all attribute their best qualities to the examples she set for them. She considered her children and their families her greatest accomplishment.
She set an example of a strong work ethic and loyalty for her family through her 25 years of service at (Vidant) Duplin General Hospital. Her loyalty continued in later years when, during illness, she found comfort in knowing she was cared for at "Duplin General".
In later years, she was able to enjoy traveling, quilting, gardening, and watching her family grow. Her kind, caring, and patient nature earned friendships with anyone she came in contact with, and her friends were always welcomed into her family. Her annual Christmas Eve family event welcomed all of her family, including it's honorary members. Anyone who knew her well also knew how delicious her biscuits were, and how quickly she could have a pan ready. She had an amazing talent of making everyone feel special, and those acts will be forever treasured.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Rose Marie Whitman Rich; son-in-law, Tommy Chestnutt; and nine siblings.
She is survived by her daughters, Teresa Whitman Chesnutt of Magnolia, Joan Whitman Southerland and husband, Wayland of Mt. Olive, Reba Whitman Futrell and husband, Wayne of Warsaw, and Sylvia Whitman Houston and husband, Jeff of Kenansville; two sons, Rodolph Wayne Whitman and wife, Kathy of Kenansville, and Richard "Peanut" Whitman and wife, Nona of Warsaw; a son-in-law, Jimmie Rich of Kenansville; many nieces and nephews, whom she loved as if they were her own; and a tight woven network of 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, who will always remember how she maintained a special connection with each one individually.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Kenansville Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Devotional Gardens Cemetery Warsaw, NC. The family will receive friends from 12:15 pm - 2:15 pm prior to the service at the church. The family will also see friends at other times at the home of Teresa W. Chestnutt 816 S. NC 11 Magnolia, NC.
Pride in oneself and dignity were two values very important to her. A special thanks to the staff of Parrish Family Home of Warsaw for their hard work in helping her maintain those values during her final months.
After graduating from Kenansville School, she married the late Rodolph Whitman and started a family. Their marriage welcomed seven children, who can all attribute their best qualities to the examples she set for them. She considered her children and their families her greatest accomplishment.
She set an example of a strong work ethic and loyalty for her family through her 25 years of service at (Vidant) Duplin General Hospital. Her loyalty continued in later years when, during illness, she found comfort in knowing she was cared for at "Duplin General".
In later years, she was able to enjoy traveling, quilting, gardening, and watching her family grow. Her kind, caring, and patient nature earned friendships with anyone she came in contact with, and her friends were always welcomed into her family. Her annual Christmas Eve family event welcomed all of her family, including it's honorary members. Anyone who knew her well also knew how delicious her biscuits were, and how quickly she could have a pan ready. She had an amazing talent of making everyone feel special, and those acts will be forever treasured.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Rose Marie Whitman Rich; son-in-law, Tommy Chestnutt; and nine siblings.
She is survived by her daughters, Teresa Whitman Chesnutt of Magnolia, Joan Whitman Southerland and husband, Wayland of Mt. Olive, Reba Whitman Futrell and husband, Wayne of Warsaw, and Sylvia Whitman Houston and husband, Jeff of Kenansville; two sons, Rodolph Wayne Whitman and wife, Kathy of Kenansville, and Richard "Peanut" Whitman and wife, Nona of Warsaw; a son-in-law, Jimmie Rich of Kenansville; many nieces and nephews, whom she loved as if they were her own; and a tight woven network of 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, who will always remember how she maintained a special connection with each one individually.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Kenansville Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Devotional Gardens Cemetery Warsaw, NC. The family will receive friends from 12:15 pm - 2:15 pm prior to the service at the church. The family will also see friends at other times at the home of Teresa W. Chestnutt 816 S. NC 11 Magnolia, NC.
Pride in oneself and dignity were two values very important to her. A special thanks to the staff of Parrish Family Home of Warsaw for their hard work in helping her maintain those values during her final months.
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Atkinson Whitman, 94, of Magnolia passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016. She was born on May 8, 1922 to the late Thomas Hadley and Nettie Long Atkinson in Duplin County.
After graduating from Kenansville School, she married the late Rodolph Whitman and started a family. Their marriage welcomed seven children, who can all attribute their best qualities to the examples she set for them. She considered her children and their families her greatest accomplishment.
She set an example of a strong work ethic and loyalty for her family through her 25 years of service at (Vidant) Duplin General Hospital. Her loyalty continued in later years when, during illness, she found comfort in knowing she was cared for at "Duplin General".
In later years, she was able to enjoy traveling, quilting, gardening, and watching her family grow. Her kind, caring, and patient nature earned friendships with anyone she came in contact with, and her friends were always welcomed into her family. Her annual Christmas Eve family event welcomed all of her family, including it's honorary members. Anyone who knew her well also knew how delicious her biscuits were, and how quickly she could have a pan ready. She had an amazing talent of making everyone feel special, and those acts will be forever treasured.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Rose Marie Whitman Rich; son-in-law, Tommy Chestnutt; and nine siblings.
She is survived by her daughters, Teresa Whitman Chesnutt of Magnolia, Joan Whitman Southerland and husband, Wayland of Mt. Olive, Reba Whitman Futrell and husband, Wayne of Warsaw, and Sylvia Whitman Houston and husband, Jeff of Kenansville; two sons, Rodolph Wayne Whitman and wife, Kathy of Kenansville, and Richard "Peanut" Whitman and wife, Nona of Warsaw; a son-in-law, Jimmie Rich of Kenansville; many nieces and nephews, whom she loved as if they were her own; and a tight woven network of 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, who will always remember how she maintained a special connection with each one individually.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Kenansville Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Devotional Gardens Cemetery Warsaw, NC. The family will receive friends from 12:15 pm - 2:15 pm prior to the service at the church. The family will also see friends at other times at the home of Teresa W. Chestnutt 816 S. NC 11 Magnolia, NC.
Pride in oneself and dignity were two values very important to her. A special thanks to the staff of Parrish Family Home of Warsaw for their hard work in helping her maintain those values during her final months.
After graduating from Kenansville School, she married the late Rodolph Whitman and started a family. Their marriage welcomed seven children, who can all attribute their best qualities to the examples she set for them. She considered her children and their families her greatest accomplishment.
She set an example of a strong work ethic and loyalty for her family through her 25 years of service at (Vidant) Duplin General Hospital. Her loyalty continued in later years when, during illness, she found comfort in knowing she was cared for at "Duplin General".
In later years, she was able to enjoy traveling, quilting, gardening, and watching her family grow. Her kind, caring, and patient nature earned friendships with anyone she came in contact with, and her friends were always welcomed into her family. Her annual Christmas Eve family event welcomed all of her family, including it's honorary members. Anyone who knew her well also knew how delicious her biscuits were, and how quickly she could have a pan ready. She had an amazing talent of making everyone feel special, and those acts will be forever treasured.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Rose Marie Whitman Rich; son-in-law, Tommy Chestnutt; and nine siblings.
She is survived by her daughters, Teresa Whitman Chesnutt of Magnolia, Joan Whitman Southerland and husband, Wayland of Mt. Olive, Reba Whitman Futrell and husband, Wayne of Warsaw, and Sylvia Whitman Houston and husband, Jeff of Kenansville; two sons, Rodolph Wayne Whitman and wife, Kathy of Kenansville, and Richard "Peanut" Whitman and wife, Nona of Warsaw; a son-in-law, Jimmie Rich of Kenansville; many nieces and nephews, whom she loved as if they were her own; and a tight woven network of 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, who will always remember how she maintained a special connection with each one individually.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Kenansville Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Devotional Gardens Cemetery Warsaw, NC. The family will receive friends from 12:15 pm - 2:15 pm prior to the service at the church. The family will also see friends at other times at the home of Teresa W. Chestnutt 816 S. NC 11 Magnolia, NC.
Pride in oneself and dignity were two values very important to her. A special thanks to the staff of Parrish Family Home of Warsaw for their hard work in helping her maintain those values during her final months.
Family Members
Spouse
Siblings
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Clara Belle Atkinson Albertson
1902–1978
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John Thomas Atkinson
1905–1935
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James Hadley Atkinson
1908–1972
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William Ruffin Atkinson
1910–1989
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Richard Fletcher Atkinson
1912–1996
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Mildred Lee Atkinson Murray
1916–1971
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Thel Hooks "Doc" Atkinson
1919–1969
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Willalean Atkinson Baker
1925–2002
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Infant Son Atkinson
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