Louisa Bitting Whitaker

Louisa “Lou” Bitting Whitaker, born May 7, 1942, went to her Heavenly home on April 18, 2026, at the age of 83. She passed away peacefully at her home in East Bend, NC, surrounded by those she called her “earthly angels,” who were her army of caregivers and friends.

She was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to John Clarke Whitaker and Elizabeth Norman Whitaker. She is survived by her brother, John C. Whitaker, Jr. (Betty) of Winston-Salem; her sister, Elizabeth “Bebe” Norman Whitaker of Atlanta, Georgia; and her brother, William “Bill” A. Whitaker (Jane) of Atlanta, Georgia. She also leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews: Libby Whitaker Kelly (Jonathan) of Winston-Salem, Robin Whitaker Nilson (Mark) of Atlanta, GA, Elizabeth “Beth” Whitaker Tate (Edward) of Atlanta, GA, and John Clarke Whitaker, III of New York City, along with twelve great-nieces and nephews: Amory, Lila, Eve, Whit, and Bo Kelly; Elizabeth, John, William, and Anna Nilson; and Whitaker, Cochrane, and Cannon Tate.

Lou remarkably shared her birthday with both her brother Bill and her mother, a family connection she always treasured. She attended St. Mary’s Junior College in Raleigh and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she studied journalism.

She spent many years working with the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel, and found her greatest joy at her farm in Yadkin County, where she raised horses for many years and cared deeply for her beloved German Shepherds. An avid horseman, Lou rode Western and enjoyed participating in horse shows and rodeo.

Lou loved animals of all shapes and sizes and is survived by her “best friend,” Rufus, her German Shepherd companion.

She filled her farm with flowers, trees, and wildlife. Lou loved to share the peacefulness of her farm with others and anyone who ever visited left with a renewed spirit.

In the final years of her life she founded Every American Wellness Center, a non-profit directly related to naturopathic treatments for chronic illnesses and cancer aftercare. She fought for medical freedom for all Americans once she realized, through her own, personal health journey, there is limited choice in a conventional medicine care path for those who cannot afford otherwise.

Lou, with Cowles Liipfert, penned Lou’s Law which was introduced at a MAHA Conference in Washington, DC, July 2025. Lou’s Law grants a choice of care path for all senior citizens in America. Her spirit and passion still fuel the medical freedom movement across our country.

Lou was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She was known for her quick wit, engaging personality, and joyful, free-spirited love of life. She was gracious and kind and left a lasting impression on those who knew and loved her. She was an enthusiast of sports cars, and loved nature.

In lieu of flowers, you may honor her life by sending a memorial to the Every American Wellness Center, P.O. Box 25535, Winston-Salem, NC 27114.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00pm on Friday, May 1, 2026, within the Whitaker family grounds located in Salem Cemetery, 301 Cemetery St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

A reception honoring Lou and her amazing life will be held for all in attendance immediately following graveside service. The reception will be held at the Every American Wellness Center, located at 120 Charlois Blvd, Suite B, Winston-Salem, NC.

Her heart was pure, as was her love of God and all living things.

If you met her - you loved her, you learned from her, you laughed.

She will be greatly missed by all.