Jarvis Whitfield

Jarvis Brandon Whitfield passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Dr. Whitfield was a loving father to his two daughters and a loving husband to his wife Juanita. He was born July 12, 1918, to Samuel Whitfield, Sr. and Clara Hubbard, both of whom preceded him in death. He was the eldest of five brothers, four of whom, John Coleman, Sr., Hubbard Coleman, Clarence Coleman, and Samuel Whitfield, Jr. are deceased. Also preceding him in death were three sisters, Genieve Coleman, Helen DeBato and Roberta Moore. Born in Trinity, Texas, he was brought to Houston at an early age and attended the public schools. After his honorable discharge from the United States Army, having served in World War II, he graduated from Wiley College in Texas and then studied medicine at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. It was while he was in medical school that he met his wife of 59 years, Jessie Juanita Davis, of Belfast, Tenn., who was attending nearby Tennessee State University. Upon his graduation, they were married and soon started a family. After completing his general surgery internship at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, he moved his young family back to his native of home of Houston, Texas to be near his extended family. He started his solo office practice as a surgeon and general practitioner, and made many late night house calls. Early on he was a member of St. John Baptist Church on Dowling Street but in later years he joined Grace Congregational Church, eventually serving as a deacon. He was known for his kindness and generosity and was never known to have said an unkind word. For many years, Dr. Whitfield was the Chief Physician at the Texas Southern University medical clinic and worked as a staff physician at various community clinics operating within the Baylor College of Medicine System. Dr. Whitfield enjoyed membership in a number of professional organizations including the National Medical Association and Houston Medical Forum. His membership in other organizations included Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Paramount Club. Dr. Whitfield is survived by his wife, Jessie Juanita Whitfield; two daughters, Sabrina Whitfield Hammond, M.D. and Teryl Whitfield Sprouse, J.D. (Peter); four grandchildren, Hillary Hammond, D.V.M., Lillian Hammond, Whitney Hammond and Dallas Hammond; and one great-grandson, Leo Flores. Also among the survivors are sisters-in-law; Geraldine Gibbs, Sara Murphy, Audrey Pope (Oscar), Brenda McLean, Gloria Coleman and Miriam Coleman; brothers-in-law James Sherman Davis (Judy), and Gary Davis (Valerie); a host of nieces and nephews; a special cousin, Addie Bevins Carr; a very special 'son', Gregory McAfee. Dr. and Mrs. Whitfield enjoyed wonderful fellowship with their brothers and sisters at Grace Congregational Church, many of whom nurtured, sustained and comforted them as they remained to age in place in their beloved residence. Dr. Whitfield lived beyond the years of many of his friends and neighbors and asks that just a silent prayer be offered in his memory. Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.