Elder Larry Christopher Whitt

Larry Christopher Whitt was born on October 9, 1955, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the union of Thelma Stewart-Whitt and James R. Whitt, Sr. Larry was baptized at Greater New St. Luke Baptist Church at a young age where his Grandmother Angeline Stewart served as the Church Mother. He graduated from Francis T. Nichols High School in 1973 and matriculated to the University of New Orleans.

In an effort to serve his country and escape the mean streets of New Orleans, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era in hopes of making a better life for himself. Upon completion of his stint in the Air Force, he relocated to Los Angeles, California to reside with his Great-Aunt Addie, Grandmother Ada Whitt, and Aunt Hazel Golden, caring for them through their latter years until their demise. While residing in Los Angeles, he continued his education focusing on law.

Larry was an ideal family man. He met his devoted wife and best friend, Pamela, in 1976 at a venue known as “Blueberry Hill," which afforded him the opportunity to boast on how he found his thrill on Blueberry Hill. On October 22, 1978, Larry and Pamela married and remained inseparable. They are the proud parents of four children – Raymond, Kandia, Sharde’, and Keishana.

In 1985, Larry joined West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Larry’s faith in God was first and foremost. He led by example and was very active in his church. He ensured his entire family attended church, including his surrogate son, Rashad, who resided in his neighborhood. As giving as Larry was, in order for Rashad to indulge in his Sunday meal, he had to first indulge in being fed the Word of God - meaning no church, no eating! If any one of his children fell asleep during service, they were promptly made to stand.

Larry served as an Ambassador, a Deacon with the Committed Men's ministry, and a member of the Overcomer’s Sunday School Class, later becoming one of the teachers for the Christian Eagle Sunday School Class. In 2007 God called him to the ministry team. He began studying theology and attended Seminary School at West Angeles Bible College. His dream was to one day be ordained an Elder and have his own Church with his wife sitting to his left and his children serving in the church. Having endured numerous years of hard work, dedication, and determination, on November 10, 2010, Larry received his Minister's license maintaining a 3.0 to 4.0 grade point average while battling prostate cancer for eight years. On June 21, 2013, he was officially ordained an Elder in the grand old Church of God in Christ! To God be the glory!

Larry was a true gentleman, very personable but yet strong and opinionated. He believed all things worked for the good according to God’s purpose. If Larry thought there was a need for you to know, no matter the subject, he did not hesitate in telling you. If you were feeling down, he was sure to try to uplift you. His smile was infectious and lit up the room. He was a father to any young man he came in contact with that lacked a father figure. The boys in the neighborhood referred to him as the “front porch” barber. As was Larry’s taste in clothes, so was his personality -- vibrant and full of life! He was a true visionary--If he could see it, he could achieve it! To have known Larry would be to know tenacity, optimism, a zeal for life, sense of humor, delicious gumbo, endless barbeque, and an avid golfer, which on numerous occasions resulted in Pam becoming a "weekend widow."

In 1994, Larry was hired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a division of the federal government, as an inspector traveling the United States working natural disasters inspecting residential and commercial buildings. Some of his projects consisted of the Northridge Earthquake and Hurricane Katrina. Larry dedicated in excess of ten years of service to FEMA. Although assisting others during difficult times was heartfelt for him, more importantly was the stability of being home with his family, which resulted in his career change. In 2001, still affording Larry his passion of helping and introducing others to Christ while working, he began a ten-year career working for the Los Angeles City Housing Department as a Section 8 inspector. While employed with the city, due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, Larry was granted a leave to work with FEMA, which he took great pleasure in returning to his hometown in order to assist his native community. Because of Larry's medical condition, he opted out for an early retirement in 2011.

Elder Larry C. Whitt transitioned from earth to glory the afternoon of July 5, 2013. He was preceded in death by his father, James R. Whitt, Sr.; his mother, Thelma Stewart-Whitt, and his brother, James R. Whitt, Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 37 years, Pamela Michelle Whitt; son, Raymond Whitt (Leyla Kanjura); daughters - Kandia Whitt, Sharde’ Whitt, Keishana Whitt (Mark Moreno) all of Los Angeles, California; two sisters - Yolanda Baker and Greta Whitt, and goddaughter, Antonieta Simpson of Houston, Texas; In-law – parents: Gloria Lowe and Billy Lowe, Sr. (Maxine); brothers, Billy Lowe, Jr. and Terrence Lowe; sisters, Valerie Lemon (Jeffrey), Lorna Lowe and Anita Harbin of Los Angeles, California, Beatrice Lowe of Palm Springs, California, and Kimberly Lowe of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren: Ashton Whitt, Zion Whitt, Kaiden Whitt, Cheyenne Whitt, Kaitlin Jackson, and Marli Moreno, and a host of other relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.