Merlene Whitten, 72, went to be with her Lord on July 31, 2013, after a battle with cancer and a heart condition, at UAMS in Little Rock. She was born March 24, 1941 in Stillwater, OK to Merle and Opal Jackson. She married Phil Whitten on September 2, 1960 and as a faithful servant of God, she served alongside her pastor husband in ministry in various roles; as Children’s Choir Coordinator, Children’s Sunday School Director, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Director, and any role she saw that needed to be filled. She loved the Lord, her family, and her church. Merlene was a homemaker and was a compassionate soul, never judgmental and always seeking to make others comfortable. She is survived by her loving husband, Reverend Phil Whitten; her three adoring children, Sherry Goodrum and her husband John, of Fort Smith, Phyllis Poole and her husband Jimmy, of Van Buren, and Phil Whitten Jr. of Fort Smith; and three grandchildren, Breanne, Amelia, and Carlee Goodrum. Funeral Service will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 3, 2013, at Oak Cliff Baptist Church officiated by Reverend Cliff Palmer and Reverend Lyndel Hobbs, with burial in Roselawn Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be: Scott, Erik, and Mark Akers, Barry Whitten, Justin Douglas, and Billy Harris. Honorary Pallbearers will be Deacons of Oak Cliff Baptist Church. Visitation will be Friday, August 2, 2013, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to: Children’s Ministry of Oak Cliff Baptist Church, 3701 Gary, Fort Smith, AR 72903, or First Baptist Church in Arkoma, OK, 200 Sicard Avenue, Arkoma, OK 74901, or to Gideon’s International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
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