Obituaries: James Hugh Whittington III, 1955, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  May 5, 1955 Winn Parish Enterprise

Jimmie Whittington Drowns In Stock Pond

Funeral services for 14 year old James Hugh Whittington III, who drowned last
Saturday while swimming in a stock pond, were held Tuesday afternoon at the
Corinth Baptist Church, with Rev. L. B. Williams, pastor, officiating. 
Assisting with the services were Rev. Jerry Green, Rev. Mike Long, and Rev. D.
G. Boyett.  Burial was in the Corinth Cemetery under direction of Southern
Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were members of his Sunday School class: Donnie Williams, Marshal
Chandler, Walter Barber, Gerald Bolton, Woodrow Waggoner, and Thomas Waxley.

Honorary pallbearers were classmates Charles Hammons, George Gilcrease,
Marshal Hough, Jimmie Shumake, Robert Fowler, Joe Gates and Olaus Connor.

Young Whittington and his 15 year old companion Gerald Bolton were swimming in
the pond located on the property of Whittington's uncle, John W. Bassett, 
seven miles east of Winnfield on Route 2, when Whittington became tired and
began to sink.  Bolton said neither of them was a strong swimmer.  The water
was about six feet deep.  He said they were about 20 yards from the bank when
Whittington complained of being tired.

Bolton said the youngster held him, almost causing both boys to drown.  Bolton
finally shook himself free, he said, struggled to the bank and summoned help.

Whittington was pulled from the pond minutes after he went down, but attempts
to revive him failed.

Dr. John McElwee, parish coroner, said he gave the boy artificial respiration
for more than an hour before pronouncing him dead.

Young Whittington, a member of Corinth Baptist Church, was born in Rayville. 
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. James H. Whittington, Sr., his paternal
grandmother, Mrs. Virgie Whittington, California, and a number of aunts,
uncles, and cousins.