Grace Clifton Whitt, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully at the Bristol Regional Hospital Oct. 7, 2007.
Her adored husband, Garlin Garfield Whitt, and her darling daughter, Patsy Carol Peery, preceded her in death.
Grace was born on Jan. 25, 1924, at Pilgrims Knob, Va., one of 10 children of Walter and Flossie Clifton. She grew up surrounded by her siblings, whom she loved so very much, and many wonderful cousins. She was happiest when she would tell stories of her childhood, like when her mother would read to her and her sisters and brothers by a kerosene light while the glow of the fire in the fireplace made designs on the walls.
When she was 17, she met Garlin Whitt. Theirs was an intense love that carried them through nearly 44 years of life together. Garlin passed away in 1985.
Grace was the loving mother of Janet Carlene Lotto (Ray), Peggy Ann Carter and Ronald Garlin Whitt;
cherished grandmother of Janet Ann Shortt (Barney), Sonya Marie Bailey (Russell), Robert Allen Buckles, Todd Clifton Berthold, Gerald Wayne Whitt and Ronald Christian Whitt (April);
great-grandmother of Joshua Shortt, Stewart Allen Bailey, Sebastian Bailey and Noah, Micah and Luke Whitt;
devoted sister of Bernice Clifton Joyce Mullins (deceased), Exie Marium Carey, Norman Clifton (deceased), Zelma Lee Gregg, Edith Ellen Cantrell, Jack Ellis Clifton, Jeanne Stanford Malone, Bennie Stanford and Roger Long;
sister-in-law of Gerald Carey (deceased), , Harvey
Gregg (deceased), Calvin T. Cantrell, Cecil Honaker, Barbara Bradley Clifton (deceased),Virgie May McNeil Clifton (deceased) Jim Malone (deceased), Bill Stanford and Linda Long;
and loved aunt of numerous nieces and nephews.
Known for never saying a critical word about anyone, she was always a very proper lady. She was beautiful inside and out and taught many with her patience.
It was her role as homemaker though that gave her the greatest joy. She relished making a beautiful home for her family and friends and filling it with love and a sense of fun. All who entered were welcomed with warmth and graciousness. Always supportive and kind with an unconditional love, she was respected by all who knew her and will be deeply missed.
The entire family would like to extend a grateful thank you to Carolyn Pruitt for her love and tender care during mother's three months of being in and out of the hospital, and to Carolyn's son, Michael, who was loved by mother as a grandchild. We also want to thank Shirley Deems for her wonderful care of mother.
Funeral services for Grace Whitt will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, with Pastor Jeff Carico officiating.
Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. There will be a private family viewing from 4 to 5 p.m. prior to the public visitation.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 E. 56th St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
Those wishing to share memories or express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com.
Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700, is serving the family of Grace Whitt (findagrave.com)