At a young age she moved to Little Creek from Duck. She was a 1951 graduate of Kempsville High School. She then moved to Lafayette Blvd and worked as a teller for Norfolk Savings and Loan. There she met the love of her life, Williard Whitehurst. In 1963, she moved to Pungo and established life long friendships. In 1985, she was the 2nd honorary Witch of Pungo for the annual Strawberry Festival. In 1993, she was selected as the Woman of the Year for the Cape Henry Woman’s Club of Virginia Beach after having served as their treasurer. She also served as treasurer for her home church of Tabernacle United Methodist and treasurer for her bowling league, Lady Seahawks. After leaving banking she continued her passion of handling money and began working as a toll collector for the Chesapeake Expressway. In 2006, she was given the honor of Toll Collector of the Year for the state of Virginia.
In her spare time, Dot enjoyed doing cross stitch, folk art painting, bingo, and playing canasta with several Pungo ladies throughout the years. She enjoyed the music of Englebert Humperdink, seeing him several times and finally got a hug from him as he was walking through the hotel lobby. Her most favorite pastimes also included time spent with her family and traveling with her Pungo friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, Willard P. Whitehurst, her son, Edward Pepper, Jr., stepdaughter, Joyce W. Salmons, sister, Della Anderson, brothers Elmer Harold, Roy, and Melvin Scarborough.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynn Pepper Thames (Steve), grandsons, Eric Thames (Angelique), Clay Thames (Mariah), step grandsons, Jim Salmons (Gail), David Salmons, Steve Salmons, and Jeff Salmons (Jody), 3 great granddaughters (Annaliese, Avonleigh, Addelynne), 7 step great grandchildren and 8 step great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 from 5-8pm at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.
The funeral will be conducted on Wednesday, July, 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 1265 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. Rev. Rudy Tucker and Pastor Christa Springstead will be presiding, with fellowship following.
Flowers may be sent to Smith & Williams Funeral Home. Donations in memory of Ms. Willard Whitehurst may be made to Tabernacle United Methodist Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com for the Whitehurst family.
