Surry County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Whitmore, J. Claude Jr., 2017 

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JOEL CLAUDE "BOOTS" WHITMORE, JR. 

  Joel Claude Whitmore, Jr. "Boots," 89, of Wakefield passed away peacefully 
Wednesday, February 1, 2017.  He was a son of the late Joel Claude Whitmore, 
Sr. and Nina Branch Whitmore.  Mr. Whitmore was the oldest member of Rocky 
Hock United Methodist Church where he served as treasurer form 42 years.  He 
served on the board of ASCS Surry County Committee Board for many years and 
was a recipient of the American Farmer Degree Award.  Along with his parents, 
he was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. 

  Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 70 years, Gaynelle Lowe Whitmore; 
sons, Donald C. Whitmore, Sr. and his wife, Jean and A. Keith Whitmore and his 
wife, Donna; grandson, Donald C. Whitmore, Jr.; granddaughter, Terri Whitmore 
Pittman and her husband, Jeremy; great-grandsons, Thomas W. Jones, Jr. and 
Trenton W. Jones as well as many other family members and friends. 

  The family will receive friends Friday, February 3, 2017 at Rocky Hock UMC, 
2745 White Marsh Rd. Wakefield, VA 23888 from 6 to 8:00 pm.  A funeral service 
will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the church with Rev. 
Cliff Fritzinger officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  In 
lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Rocky 
Hock UMC Cemetery perpetual care fund, c/o Richard Andrews, 4899 White Marsh 
Rd., Wakefield, VA 23888, or the Surry Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 188 Surry, VA 
23883.  Condolences may be posted at www.rwbakerfh.com.

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JOEL CLAUDE "BOOTS" WHITMORE, JR. 

  Boots was a member of Rocky Hock Church his entire life.  At the time of his 
death, he was the oldest living member of the church.  He served his church in 
many capacities; treasurer for 42 years, a member and chairman of the Board of 
Trustees for many years.  Until his health failed him, he was a faithful 
attendee of the church.  Boots was the first person to use the newly installed 
handicap ramp to assist him following his broken leg and confinement to a 
wheelchair.

  The Wilson family gave the land for the original Rocky Hock Cemetery.  The 
cemetery has been expanded several times over the years, with land being 
generously given by his family, the Whitmores, each time.

  Boots was a lifelong farmer.  He received numerous agriculture awards over 
the years, one of which was the American Farmer Degree Award.  He served on 
the Surry County ASCS committee board for many years.

  He was married to his wife Gaynelle for 70 years and had two sons, Don and 
Keith.  Boots had two grandchildren and two great-grandsons.  He is buried in 
Rocky Hock Cemetery in the Whitmore family square. 


Joel Claude "Boots" WHITMORE, Jr., farmer, 
b. 27 Aug 1927, Surry Co., d. 13 Feb 2017, 
interred in Rocky Hock Methodist Church Cemetery (Plot 43*), Surry Co., 
R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home obit; 
Rocky Hock Church memorial 

*Rocky Hock list, an extension of the 
   Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/cemeteries/rockyhk.txt 

His parents are buried in the same plot.  His paternal grandparents are buried 
   in Plot 33. 

Photos posted with Find a Grave Mem. #175965665 

His widow's obit (R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, 2019) & 
   a memorial to her are posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/sussex/obits/w356g1ob.txt 

His father's obit ("Daily Press," Oct. 7, 1965, p. 50) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/w356j3ob.txt 

His mother's obit ("Daily Press," May 28, 1986, D-4) & 
   a memorial to her are posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/w356n2ob.txt 

A memorial to his father's first wife Sala Thomas (BRANCH) WHITMORE & 
   the family is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/w356s2ob.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), 
and re-formatted by File Manager. 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/w356c1ob.txt