A celebration of life for Mr. Jerry L. Wilhite, Monday, July 29, 1996, 11:00 a.m., Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia, Dr. C.S. Hamilton, officiating, Reverend Marvin McRae, presiding

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MONDAY, JULY 29, 1996
11:OOA.M. Tabernacle Baptist Church
Augusta, Georgia ********** Dr. C. S. Hamilton, Officiating Reverend Marvin McRae, Presiding

25, 1938 - !% 24, 1996

Mr. Jerry Lee Wilhite departed this life Wednesday, July 24,

1996, at his residence. Jerry was born September 25, 1938, to

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the parentage of the late Walter D. Wilhite and Mrs. Annie Lue

Wilhite of Longview, Texas.

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He united with the New Hope Baptist Church in Gladewater,

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Texas at a young age. After moving to Augusta by way of Fort r\

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Gordon, he united with Tabernacle Baptist Church by Christian

Experience.

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Jerry graduated from Weldon High School in Gladewater, Texas

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in 1957. He continued his education at Wiley College in

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Marshall, Texas where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in

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Music Education in 1961.

After graduating from college, he was drafted in the United States T

Army where he played in the Army Band while being stationed at

Fort Gordon, Georgia and Ft. Lenwood, Missouri. Upon

completion of his service, Jerry began his career in education as a U

general music teacher at A.R. Johnson Junior High School in

Augusta, Georgia. He eventually achieved the position of Band

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Director and served in that capacity for seventeen years. Under A

his leadership, the band received many superior ratings. In his



spare time, he served as Assistant Coach for Segos track team.

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Additionally, he served as an itenerant band teacher at Charles T.

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Walker and Telfair Elementary Schools in Augusta, Georgia.

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Jerry was recognized for always striving for excellence, and in y7 V

1975 he was elected by his peers "Teacher of the Year" at A.R.

Johnson Junior High School.

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Jerry had a thirst for learning something new and was always

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seeking new challenges. Subsequently, he reentered college to

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pursue a degree in guidance counseling at South Carolina State

University where he was awarded a Master of Education Degree

in 1978. It was at this time he began his career as a Guidance

Couselor at Sego Middle School in Augusta, Georgia where he

worked tirelessly in the guidance department until his retirement

in July, 1996.

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Prelude ....................... Dr. Wanda Richardson

Processional

Selection ............. Mrs. Emma Lou Starks and Choir

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"Sending Up My Timber"

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Scripture Reading .................. Rev. Inez Smith

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Prayer .......................... Rev. Marvin McRae

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Solo ................................ Ruthel Johnson

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ace. by Mary Gordon-Hall

Remarks

Sego Middle School Principal - Mr. Joseph Zabriskie

Co-Worker A. R. Johnson - Mr. James Hill

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Co-Worker Sego Middle School - Mr. Ruth Reddy

As A Band Student Dr. Leonard Starks

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Clark Atlanta University President - Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr.

Wiley College Classmate

Obituary .............................. Read Silently

- Soft Music

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Acknowledgements ............ Ms. Georgette Magwood

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Memorial Tribute ........ Mrs. Jeanette Wilhite Butler

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Miss Kaci Y. Wilhite

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Solo .......................... Ms. Aliciadine Starks

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"Wind Beneath My Wings"

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Eulogy ......................... Dr. C. S. Hamilton

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Recessional .......... "WeldonHigh School Alma Mater" "Wiley College Alma Mater"

Interment ................... Hillcrest Memorial Park Augusta, Georgia

In addition to his commitment to education, he always was aware of his duty to serve his church and community. He was a member of the Deacon Board of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia. He was a founding member and served as an officer of the Juneteenth Society, Inc. He was also a member of the National Education Association, Georgia School Counselors Association, the Georgia Association of Educators, and Phi Delta Kappa.. He served as treasurer of Monte Sano Elementary School Parent and Teacher Association and was given an honorary life membership in Georgia Parent and Teacher Association by Sego Middle School in 1986. Jerry was also a past member ofthe E. L. Stewart Choir at Tabernacle.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter D. Wilhite, and one brother, Lawrence E. Wilhite.
Surivivors are: his wife, Mrs. Lizzie Reed Wilhite; two daughters, Misses Trecia Yolivia Wilhite and Kaci Yolanda Wilhite, Atlanta, Georgia; mother, Mrs. Annie L. Wilhite, Gladewater, Texas; sister, Mrs. Jeanette Wilhite Butler, Chandler, Texas; brothers, Donald Wilhite, Bedford, R. Wilhite and Douglas L. Wilhite, Dallas, Texas; Robert Lynn Wilhite, Lawtell, Louisiana; Charles Wilhite, Gladewater, Texas; and Keithland Wilhite, Denver, Colorado; two godsons, Travis McRae and Xavier Welcher, Augusta, Georgia; one goddaughter, Deidra McRae, Augusta, Georgia; and a host of aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
To Our Daddy
You -were the best. You have always been so strongfor the whole family. You never turned your back on us when things went wrong, but gave us encouragement to keep going. You loved us unselfishly. For the guidance, caring, supporting, and loving, we will always be grateful to God that you were our Daddy.
Love Your, Girls

Invictus
Out of the night that covers me, Black as a pitfrom pole to pole, I thank whatever Gods may be
For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud, Under the bludgeoning ofchance My head is bloody, but unbowed. It matters not how straight the gate How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the Master ofmy Fate, I am the Captain ofmy Soul.
-WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Pallbearers

Tabernacle Baptist Church Deacon Board

Johnny P. Ball

Quincy Murphy

Charles Hamp

Albert Davis

David Butler, Sr.

Jerry A. Brooks Sr.

IJMimorartJ pallbearers

Deacons of Tabernacle Juneteenth Society, Inc. Faculties of A. R. Johnson Junior High School and Sego Middle School Richmond County Guidance Counselors Association

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The family gratefully acknowledges with sincere appreciation, the kindness, comforting expressions tendered us by the Pastor, members, and friends through flowers, cards, messages, visits, and all other forms of consolation during our bereavement.
SPECIAL THANKS: Tabernacle Baptist Church Deaconess Board of Tabernacle Baptist Church Alpha Kappa Alpha Soroity, Inc.
The Juneteenth Society Mr. and Mrs. James A. McRae, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shelton Sego Middle School
Mr. and Mrs Jordan Wright Ms. Eulycia Frazier
... THE FAMILY

The Family Has Received Personal Care From The Historic Dents Undertaking Establishment
930 DAntignac Street - Augusta, Georgia
"When Only Memories Remain, Let Them Be Beautiful"