Whitaker, Gaye Yonce

Gaye Yonce Whitaker, 65, of Pulaski, went to be with the Lord, July 15, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, W. Michael Whitaker; her daughter, Lora Whitaker Howard and husband, Gary Howard, of Floyd; her daughter, Jennifer Whitaker Rush and husband, Nick Rush, of Christiansburg; and grandchildren, 1st Lt. Cody Rush and wife, Tiffany Rush, of Fort Hood Texas, Forrest Rush, Lilly Rush, Gabrielle Howard, Clayton Howard, Micah Howard, and Annaliise Howard; and great- granddaughter, Abigail Rush.

She is also survived by her sister, Dawn Yonce Fink and husband, Frank Fink, of Kingsport, Tenn.; sister- in-law, Darla Algood and husband, Al Algood, of Oldsmar, Fla.; special Uncle Buzzy Breeding and Aunt Martha Breeding; aunts, Phyllis Jackson and Sarah Webb, all of Kingsport, Tenn.; and spiritual mother and friend, Esther Leamnson, of Dublin. She also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis Breeding Yonce and Truman Yonce; and brother, James Truman Yonce.

She was employed by Pulaski County Visitor’s Center for over 10 years, and made every effort to make sure that everyone that walked through the door was welcome. A lifelong horsewoman, she was a member of the Eastern Crabbet Arabian Horse Society for 15 years.

The family would like to extend a thanks to their church families for support and prayers, as well as a special thanks to Dr. McCoy and the staff at Blue Ridge Cancer Care, and the special angels disguised as nurses of Carilion Hospice, Venessa, Tereasa, and Lindsey.

Gaye lived by her faith and set an example for all of us. She continued to witness to others and uplift them despite her illness. She taught children’s church for over 32 years, and faithfully attended church services until the end.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Children’s Ministry Fund New Testament Church of Christ, P.O. Box 344, Pearisburg, VA 24134.

The family will receive visitors at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2013, at Newbern Community Christian Church located 5382 Grace Street, Dublin. Funeral Services will follow immediately at 3:30 p.m., conducted by Minister Jack Harris, of Jennings, La. Interment will be held at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va., 540-980-2600.