Dr. John Sellers Whitehead

.WHITEHEAD, JOHN SELLERS M.D. John Sellers Whitehead, M.D., age 88 of Birmingham passed away peacefully on May 5, 2011. Born March 12, 1923 in Sherman, Texas, he has lived in Birmingham since age 5. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia McBride Whitehead and his three children Peggy W. Walker of San Antonio, Trisha W. Stovall of Birmingham, John S. Whitehead, Jr. of Atlanta; grandchildren Sara E. Walker, Edwin A. Walker, Jr., Kate E. Stovall, Clay Stovall and his sister Mary W. Herring. He is predeceased by his parents Claude W. & Mamie Whitehead, brother, Rev. Claude W. Whitehead Jr. and sister Eugenia Whitehead. John was a physician for more than 60 years practicing Internal Medicine, Hematology-Oncology in solo practice from 1955-1992. He continued to use his skills as a Medical Consultant to Social Security Disability Determination Service until the time of his death. He will be remembered most as a servant leader giving of himself to his family, church, patients and all who knew him. His compassion, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, joy and love were evident to all. John attended Ramsay High School and then Birmingham Southern College from 1940-43, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He volunteered for the US Army Air Corp serving during WWII. He attended the University of Virginia and Yale University where he achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. During the war he served in Natal, Brazil and Ascension Island and was discharged from the Air Force in 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant. He returned to graduate from Birmingham Southern in 1946 and UAB Medical College in 1951, second in his class. His hematology fellowship under Dr. Walter B.Frommeyer from 1954-55 was accompanied by his association with Dr. Tinsley Harrison while he served on the Medical Staff at UAB. He volunteered as a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine/Hematology-Oncology at UAB from 1956-1988. Honors include Alpha Omega Alpha and Fellow of American College of Physicians. From 1970-73 he served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at BMC Montclair and President of the Medical Staff in 1977. John served on the board of the Industrial Health Council for more 25 years. He served as a member of the Board of Stewards at Highlands Methodist Church and Ministerial Education Committee for many years. John is a past President of the Birmingham Camellia Society and had a love for flowers, travel and photography. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. John Akin, Bill Burrough, Phil Esty, William Hairston, George Harris, Dr. Robert Herring, Dr. Joe Hughes, Dr. Hampton Smith, Dr. Ed Stevenson. Funeral services will be held at Highlands United Methodist Church on Monday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Belon Friday officiating assisted by Rev. Emily Penfield followed by graveside service at Elmwood with Ridout's Valley Chapel directing. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00-7:00pm at Valley Chapel in Homewood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Highland's United Methodist Church, 1045 S. 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35205 American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund AL or a charity of your choice.