Reverend Jimmy Dale Whitney, 78, went to heaven Friday, March 16, 2018 at his home in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 20, at First Assembly of God, 8650 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, Tennessee, with Reverend Bob Wilburn officiating. Interment will be in Coy Methodist Cemetery, Preston, Kemper County, Mississippi. Viewing/visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday and from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the church.
Reverend Whitney was born October 1, 1939 in Electra, Texas. He was a devout Christian; a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; a hardworking handyman and jack of all trades; and a compassionate minister whose fervor for God permeated every aspect of his life. He was well-known for his attention to detail and widely respected for his work ethic. Reverend Whitney loved people from every walk of life without regard for social status or profession.
Beyond his own personal ministry legacy, many of Reverend Whitney’s extended family were involved in ministry and missions at locations around the world—his grandchildren affectionately nicknamed him “Babu,” the Swahili word for grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Jolynn Whitney, of Olive Branch; four children, Steve Whitney of Olive Branch, Danna (Greg) Beggs of Springfield, Missouri, Mark (Tammy) of Philadelphia, Mississippi, and Marla (Tom) McLane of Springfield, Missouri; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Reverend Whitney was preceded in death by his father, Bill Whitney; his mother, Evelyn Lesh; and his brother, Bobby Whitney.
Flowers may be sent to First Assembly of God, 8650 Walnut Grove, Cordova, Tennessee 38018. Call Memphis Funeral Home, 901-725-0100, for further details. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Memphis Teen Challenge, 33 North Cleveland Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, (901) 272-2308.
