James Pink Whittington Sr.

James is survived by his two sons, Thomas Jeffery Whittington and Michael Todd Whittington; by his grandchildren, Matthew Todd Whittington, Andrew Michael Whittington, Kyle Thomas Whittington, Codi Leigh Whittington, Dylon Taner Whittington, Chandler Tristen Whittington, and Christopher James Whittington; by his great-grandchildren, Andrew Michael Whittington Jr., James Matthew Whittington and another on the way; by his younger brother, Alfred Edward Whittington; and his sisters-in-law, Euna Mae Dillon Kelly (Jerry Clark Kelly), and Jeanette Gaddis Dillon. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, to name a few; James "JM" Milton Whittington (Jean), Catherine Whittington, Todd Edward Whittington (Alyssa), Sondra Dillon Looper, Lisa Whittington, Rhonda Kelly Guy, and Rick Guy; and by many friends who respected him because of the respect he gave to others.

He is preceded in death by his parents, the late Susan Ida Rushing Whittington and Robert Marshall Whittington; by his siblings, the late Robert Marshall Whittington, Jr., Clyde Milton Whittington, and Robert Earl Whittington; by his first wife, the late Lucille Weddis Whittington; by his second wife, the late Betty Joann Dillon Whittington; by his only daughter, the late Theresa Adele Whittington; his youngest son, the late William Jason Whittington; his oldest son, the late James Pink Whittington, Jr.; and his beautiful granddaughter, the late Brooke Michele Whittington. He was also preceded in death by many in-laws that he respected dearly; his father and mother-in-law, the late Rufus Bill Dillon and Louella Mae Rushing Dillon; and his brother-in-law, the late William J. Dillon.

James was born in Smithdale, Mississippi, on July 2, 1926. He attended Tylertown School through 8th grade but left school at an early age to help support his family. As a child, he took on the responsibilities of a man and got his first job hauling logs, before moving up to working at the sawmill.

He made the heroic decision to serve his country at the age of 17, at the beginning of World War II. Because he was so young, his Mother and Father had to sign the enlistment papers before he could enlist. Little did he know he would be aboard the Admirable Class Minesweeper, USS Superior (AM 311). The admirable Class was the largest and most successful class of minesweeper in the United States Navy during World War II. Typically, the Minesweeper detected and removed mines before the rest of the fleet arrived, thereby ensuring safe passage for the rest of the convoy. They were also charged with antisubmarine warfare duties with a rear-mounted depth charge rack, and a forward-firing rear-mounted hedgehog. Because of his incomparable work ethic, James started as an apprentice but worked his way to Seaman 2nd Class, and ultimately Seaman First Class James Pink Whittington. The USS Superior participated in the final struggles in the Pacific Ocean against the Empire of Japan during the end of the war.

After the war, James met his first wife, Lucille Weddis Whittington. They had one child, James Pink Whittington, Jr. During that time, he was living in Rosalind, Mississippi, and commuting every day to Kaiser Aluminum, in Chalmette, Louisiana. After a mere six months working in the pot room, he was promoted to General Foreman in the Pot Relining Department, a job he held for 32 years. James eventually bought a house in Chalmette, to avoid a commute from Mississippi.

James' young family was struck by tragedy when his first wife, Lucille, developed breast cancer and passed away at the age of 26. A few years later, he met Betty Joann Dillon, whom he dated and married in the early '60s. Betty and James wasted no time having children, having both Thomas and Theresa in 1963, followed by Michael in 1965, and William in 1968.

Tragedy was again no stranger to James' doorstep. He lost his only daughter, Theresa, in 1982, his wife Betty in 1999, and his son William in 2004. James proved to be a ballast for his family, giving them a solid foundation, and staying strong for them, even as he suffered immeasurable loss.

Anyone who knew James knows the kind of man he was. He had the will to thrive through hard times, he never met a stranger, and he was courteous and respectful of everyone he met. He did anything he could to help the people around him and never expected anything in return. He was the definition of "selfless" and our family was blessed beyond measure, by his example. If any of us become half the man he was, we will have succeeded in this life.

James made his own funeral arrangements and desired no formal services. A private burial, attended by immediate family, will be held in Mississippi on Saturday, March 13, 2021. In lieu of sending flowers to the family, please consider donating to the Heart Society or the American Cancer Society - two organizations that were dear to his heart.