James Whitten

THOMASVILLE — James “Jim” Lynn Whitten, Sr., 82, died Friday, January 10, 2020, at the Hospice Home at High Point.

He was born June 11, 1937, in Nashville, Tennessee, was the son of the late Allene Wilkinson Marshall and his adoptive parents, Claude B. and Alma Whitten, and was reared in Chattanooga. He retired from the United States Postal Service after thirty-six years of service and served at a variety of Postmaster and Assistant Postmaster positions throughout the state. He also retired from the United States Army Reserves following twenty-five years of service. Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Reserves. He was a former member of Church of God of Prophecy on Ward Avenue where he had served as a deacon. He was a member of Thomasville Church of God where he was a member of the Kingdom Men. He was also an avid reader and a Life Member of the NARFE, Chapter 211.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Lynn Whitten, and sister, Barbara Straatman.

Jim is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Phillips Whitten, whom he married on June 11, 1958; son, James “Jimmy” L. Whitten, Jr. of Archdale; four sisters, Judy Coffman and Donna Bayes both of Lebanon, Tennessee, Diane Gorman (Ed) of Nokomis, Florida, and Jane Diezi (Bob) of Cary, NC; brother, James Marshall of Laguna Vista, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; his fur baby, Bandit; and very special people, Lori and Barry Dennis and Kristi Lowder.

Memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Thomasville Church of God with Rev. Allen Greene and Dr. Phillip Smith officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family online on Jim’s tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kingdom Men, Thomasville Church of God, 1200 W. Holly Hill Drive, Thomasville 27360; or to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.

Cumby Family Funeral Service, 206 Trindale Road, Archdale, NC, is serving the Whitten family.