JoAnne Rogers Whitten

JoAnne Rogers Whitten, age 85, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, December 26th, 2023 while at home surrounded by loved ones. JoAnne was born on January 20th, 1938 to Pooley and Thelma Rogers in Birmingham, Alabama. She was a 1956 graduate of West End High School in Birmingham, Alabama. JoAnne spent her entire working career of 34 years with the Bell Telephone company, known now as AT&T.

JoAnne was the happiest and most loving person in the world. She was a dedicated member of the Metropolitan Church of God choir for 30 some years. Joanne was an active, God-loving, fun-loving, people-loving lady. She loved ice skating and met her husband John Sr. in the 1950’s at the old Irondale ice rink. Together, they spent many future years ice skating at Irondale, Alpine Ice Arena, and in Decatur, AL. Joanne was a joy to everyone she ever met and always was until the end.

JoAnne suffered with multiple ailments over the last several years, yet she managed to smile and laugh in spite of her pain. Her smile and laugh could light up any dark room. She took great pride in her roles as a wonderful wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her father, Pooley Rogers; mother, Thelma Rogers; grandmother, Leila Riley; grandfather, Hilton Riley Sr; uncle, Hilton Riley Jr; brothers Richard Rogers, Johnny Rogers, and Charles Wayne Field; cousin Ned Rogers, cousin Betty Hagan; cousin Flossie Hagan Massey; cousin Clay Hagan, along with many other family members and numerous friends.

JoAnne is survived by her husband (of 66 years and 5 months), John William Whitten Sr., of Birmingham, Alabama; son, John William Whitten Jr.; former daughter-in-law Pamilla Brown; grandson, John William Whitten lll; granddaughter, Victoria Elise Whitten; granddaughter, Katherine Maddox Hunt; grandson-in-law, Nicholas Hunt; granddaughter-in-law, Mallorie Cook Whitten; great granddaughter, Audrey James Whitten; great grandson Maddox Hunt; great granddaughter Mela Hunt; great grandson Maxton Hunt; great grandson McLandon Hunt; cousin Charlie Bedsole; cousin, Eileen Vance; cousin-in-law John Vance; cousin, Susan Vance; cousin Johnny Vance; niece Stacey Rogers McPhaul; niece Jennifer Rogers Cox; brother-in-law Waymond Whitten; sister-in-law Joyce Whitten; and sister-in-law Frankie Whitten.

JoAnne will have a celebration of life on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11 am at Metropolitan Church of God (in the commons area), 2800 Metropolitan Way, Birmingham, Alabama 35243.