Whitaker, Festus Ratcliffe

Festus Ratcliffe Whittaker of Pearisburg, passed away Saturday, September 22, 2007 at Heartland Nursing Home in Columbia, S.C.

Mrs. Whitaker was born in Peterstown, W.Va. and was a daughter of the late Jim and Vera Dunn. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Clarence V. Ratcliffe, her second husband, William Whitaker, a son, Dan Ratcliffe of Pearisburg and nine brothers and sisters, James, Stanley, David, Hunter, Spencer, Jerry, Kelly, Camilla Smith and Boonie Thornton.

Mrs. Whitaker was a member of the First Christian Church in Pearisburg. During her life time, Mrs. Whitaker or “Fetty” as she was affectionately known, was a fantastic cook. She loved to cook and have friends, relatives and at times strangers come to dine with her. She loved everyone, even the folks at the nursing home. She always had on a smile and had a servant’s heart all her life.

In her youth at Peterstown High School, she was known to make the last winning goal in basketball for the State championship at PHS. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she often verbalized how much she missed not being closer in distance to them as they have grown up over the years. She was a most loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend and most of all loved the Lord.

She is survived by her daughter, Geraldine “Jerri” Stanley of Camden, S.C.; her son Donald C. Ratcliffe of Jackson, S.C.; six grandchildren, Donna R. Hooks and husband Dave, Teresa R. Ryder and husband Alan, John Kevin Ratcliffe and wife Sara, James Barry Stanley and wife Sheri, Jeffrey A. Stanley and wife Bonnie, Victoria S. Bowen and husband Mark; eight great-grandchildren, John Hampton Ratcliffe, Sara Davis Ratcliffe, Ashley Hooks, Brad Hooks, Ella Ryder, Dena Stanley, Sydney Stanley and Makayla Bowen.

Funeral services will be conducted, Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Givens Funeral Chapel in Pearisburg with the Rev. Shahn Wilburn officiating with burial following in the Birchlawn Cemetery in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.givensfuneralhome.com.