Eulogistic services for the Reverend Mr. C. J. Whitaker, Sr., Friday, May 2, 1986, 4:00 p.m., Zion Canaan Baptist Church, 7820 Farrow Road, Columbia, South Carolina, the Reverend Dr. M. C. Fennel, pastor

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ifrifrag, jHay 2, 1985 4:00 p.nt*
Zton Olanaan ^Baptist QJburcli
7820 Farrow Road Columbia, South Carolina THE REVEREND DR. M.C. FENNEL, PASTOR

Baptist Minister, Civic Leader and Democratic Party Official
The Reverend Mr. Charles James Whitaker, Sr. died Tuesday April 29, 1986 at his home.
Affectionately known as " C .J .," he was born in Blythewood (Richland County), S.C., September 16, 1924, and was the son of the late Richard Mann and Prescilla Harrison Whitaker.
The eighth child of 10 children, including a twin sister, Reverend W hitaker joined the church at an early age. He later went on to lead the Gospel Choir at Round Top Baptist Church in Blythewood and, after joining Rehobeth Baptist Church in Ridge way, he led the Choir and was ordained a deacon and eventually a Baptist minister in 1955. He pastored Zion Hill Baptist Church in Arthurtown, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Blackstock. He was pastor of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Great Falls for 23 years. In 1963, he became pastor of Ridge Branch Baptist Church in Batesburg, S.C., and was pastor at the time of his death.
Reverend Whitaker became involved in the Democratic Party in the late 1950s, working through the Party to improve life for all citizens, and became Vice Chair man and Chairman of the Richland County Democratic Party in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At the time of his death, he represented the County Party as Executive Committeeman to the state party board.
Reverend Whitaker worked for the S.C. Department of Mental Health for 40 years, retiring in 1984. At that time, he was given the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest award.
Among his many civic activities, he was Moderator of the Fairfield County Bap tist Association and the Friendship Baptist Union; Chairman of the Political Action Committee of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; and for 23 years, Presi dent of the North Columbia Civic Club.
He was Grand Chaplain of Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM (Free and Accepted Masons), S.C.; State Grand Worthy Patron, OES; a 33 Degree Mason with the Capital City Lodge #47; Yahwah Holy Royal Arch #40; Queen Esther Chapter #1, OES; The Shriners - Cairo Temple #125; and The C.C. Johnson Consistory #136, where he had served as Commander-in-Chief. He was named Mason of the Year in 1978.
In 1947, Reverend Whitaker married Ernestine Peay and from this union six children were born.
Surviving are his wife; daughters, Mrs. Jacquelyn McCollum of Miami, Fla., Mrs. Venice Inabinet of LeMoore, Cal., Mrs. Donna Rogers and Mrs. Mamie Scott, both of Columbia, and Mrs. Elaine Novoa of Atlanta, Ga.; sons, Mr. Charles James Whitaker, Jr. of Columbia and Dr. Willie Roscoe Whitaker of San Francisco, Cal.; sisters, Mrs. Frances Jackson of Philadelphia, Pa., Ms. Dobbie Lee Whitaker, Mrs. Mary Gray and Mrs. Della Jackson, all of Columbia; a brother, Mr. Marvin Whitaker of Columbia; Aunt Rosalee Taylor, Aunt Hattie Boulware, Aunt Flora Henry, and Uncle Oscar Henry; five brothers-in-law; seven sisters-in-law; five sons-in-law; one daughter-in-law; thirteen grandchildren and a host of other relatives.

(rtier o f

trice

Reverend M .M . T hom pson , Presiding P astor R ehobeth Baptist Church, R idgew ay, S .C .

P R O C E S S I O N A L ............... ................. M r s . B e v e rly R h o d e n , O r g a n i s t

S E L E C T I O N ........................................................ " T h e L o r d I s M y L i g h t " Zion C anaan and Ridge Branch Musical Choirs

O L D T E S T A M E N T . . . . .........................................................P s a l m 27 :1 -6 Dr. W .H . Neal

N E W T E S T A M E N T . . . . ....................................................R o m a n s 8:3 5 -3 9 Rev. C.L. McMillian

P R A Y E R ................................ ..........................................R e v . J . H . R o b e r s o n

S E L E C T I O N ........................ .............................." C o m e Y e D i s c o n s o l a t e " 1 Musical Choirs j

R E M A R K S ........................... ...................................R ev . D r . A . W . G o f o r t h Interdenom inational Ministerial Alliance j
Deacon Raym ond Padgett Ridge Branch Baptist Church
Mr. J.D . Clamp S.C. Democratic Party
Deacon John L. Simons N orth C olum bia Civic Club
Rev. J.G . Jones Fairfield County Baptist Association
Reverend Adams Friendship Sunday School Union
Senator Isadore Lourie Richland C ounty Legislative Delegation

MEDLEY OF HYMNS

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W O R D S O F C O M F O R T . ..............................D r . M . C . F e n n e ll, P a s t o r

R E C E SS IO N A L i *************

I N T E R M E N T ...................... . . . . R e h o b e t h B a p tis t C h u r c h C e m e te r y Ridgeway, South Carolina

PALLBEARERS
H O N O RA RY .......................................................................... Ministers ACTIVE....................................Members of Capital City Lodge #47
FLOWER BEARERS
Order of the Eastern Star and
Ridge Branch Church Missionaries
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Family graciously acknowledges the care and concern of so many of you, our friends. You've shown this benediction of love through prayers, calls, visits, gifts, momentos, flowers and many other means.
Mav the spirit of our Saviour continue to abound with each of you. THE FAMILY
-- Arrangements by -- PALMER FUNERAL HOME
Columbia, South Carolina *************
1 HAD TO GO, I COULD NOT STA Y
I had to go I could not stay So during the night I slipped away.
1 loved you then I love you now But 1 must leave you for a while.
Please do not grieve nor shed a tear A nd I in turn will always be near,
Think o f me when the bright sun shines Speak o f me with a gallant smile.
Praise the Lord and always do good Remember the things I taught you during childhood.
Again, we love you so do not fret Jesus loves us all, this never forget,
I've gone to meet Him in the sky I'll be waiting fo r each o f you In the sweet bye and bye.