Whitey Cantrell

ROSSVILLE — “Whitey” LaVaughn Cantrell, moved to his eternal home in glory Friday evening surrounded by his wife and family. He was a beloved husband, father, and PawPaw, a celebrated craftsman, and a legendary singer of Southern Gospel Music. Mr. Cantrell was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. James Robert Cantrell and Mrs. Meeky Jane Hodge (Cantrell) Johnston and his siblings: Jessie May Ingram, Robert Harold Cantrell, Willy Ann Smithson, and James Arville Smithson, all of whom were Rossville residents. He is survived by his devoted wife of 21 years, Ann Cantrell and their children, Charrise Cantrell Searl, Blair (Sonya) Cantrell, David (Tina) McCurry, and Donna McCurry. He was PawPaw to six grand-children: Hannah (Ashton) Searl, Randy (Morgan) Cantrell, Jeremy (Brittany) Cantrell, Brad (Gina) McCurry, Jason McCurry, and Jamie McCurry. He leaves behind six great-grandchildren: Luna Meek, Naomi Cantrell, Judah Cantrell, Cruize Cantrell, Emmarie Cantrell, and Declan McCurry, along with several nieces and nephews. “Whitey”, who received his nickname when his hair turned grey as a young man, was born in Rossville, Ga., on Nov. 6, 1936, and graduated from Rossville High School. He worked at Combustion Engineering as a welder until he retired in 1991. Although he achieved a celebrated career in welding, his passion and notoriety lay in singing Southern Gospel Quartet Music. Mr. Cantrell was renowned not only for his range and clarity as a tenor, but also his ability to move comfortably from soft, emotive ballads to aggressive upbeat choruses. He began singing with the GospelTones Quartet in 1954 and sung in groups until weeks before his death. During that time he recorded and toured with The Scenicland Quartet, The Whitey Cantrell Singers, and River City Quartet. His signature song, “I Wanna Be More Like Jesus” roused people to their feet for decades. I want to walk just like Him, I want to talk just like Him, I want to cry just like Him, and I want to die just like Him, I want to be more like Jesus every day Visitation will be held this Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home and Monday 4 to 6 p.m. at Cloud Springs Baptist Church. Following the visitation on Monday, a celebration of his life and music will be held at Cloud Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Gardner officiating. Burial will take place at Lakewood Memory Gardens South, Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to support the ministries of Cloud Springs Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.