Barbara Jean Tate Whittington was born to the late George and Parolee Tate in Mascot, TN on February 20, 1936. On the morning of March 1, 2021, our Heavenly Father called Barbara Jean to her eternal home. She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Horace Whittington; three brothers and one sister: George Tate, Jr., Bruce Tate, James Tate, and Fannie Tate Thomas.
Barbara retired from Fort Sanders Hospital after a long and rewarding career as a licensed practical nurse. Her patients and families remember her as a conscientious caregiver.
She was beautiful, sassy, intelligent, and very independent. She had advice for anyone she encountered. Her smile was like sunshine.
The church was her love, and she was a devoted member of Cherry Street Church of God for most of her life. She sang soprano in the Gospel Chorus and the Senior Choir. For several years, she served with the Willing Workers Missionary group, and she served on the Kitchen Committee. She helped prepare and serve refreshments during Vacation Bible School and other church events. As a missionary, she spent countless hours doing for others. During the months of the pandemic in 2020, she helped with free meal distributions and other outreach projects at the church.
To cherish her memory, she leaves her sister, Clara C. Bennett; nephews, Harold Thomas, Jr., Anthony (Terrie) Bennett; nieces, Geraldretta Bennett (Jerry) Davis, Angelena Thomas (William) Love; a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews; numerous cousins and friends. She was loved, and she touched many lives. We will all miss her dearly.
There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Berry Highland South Memorial Cemetery. Elder Eric Satterfield, Officiating. Please assemble at Berry Highland South Memorial Cemetery, at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Arrangements assisted by JARNIGAN & SON MORTUARY, 2823 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914. All services are live-streamed on Facebook and recorded on YouTube when permitted.
www.jarnigansmortuary.com