Funeral services for Jo Nelle Whitaker, 67, of Lufkin will be held at 2 PM Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Christ Congregational Church with Rev. Randall Green officiating. Interment will follow at Jonesville Cemetery. Mrs. Whitaker was born November 14, 1955 in Pasadena, TX, daughter of the late Jean (Kesslar) and James Burns. She passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Jo was a teacher for 29 years in the Lufkin Independent School District. In her spare time she enjoyed watching baseball, going to Matagorda Beach and camping in the Great Smoky Mountains. She sang in the Christ Church Chorale, was a member of the church’s Renaissance Ringers hand bell ensemble and directed the Christ Church Chamber Bells.
Survivors include her husband, Vince Whitaker of Lufkin; sons Roger Craig Whitaker and Ginger of Buda, and Brian Patrick Whitaker and Gloria of Austin; grandchildren, Easton James Whitaker and Claire Elise Whitaker; sister, Judy Winters; brother, James Burns; half sisters Janice Files, Jeri Burns, and Julie Sandlin.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Pallbearers will be Clark Saunders, Robert Melton Jr., Robert Ray, Robert Grissom, Todd Stracener, and Derek Holland.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Christ Congregational Church, 105 Saddle Creek Dr., Lufkin, Texas 75904.
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
