Samuel Elisha (Eli) Whitaker

Samuel Elisha (Eli) Whitaker, 76, of Lee County, GA died Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Willson Hospice House. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 27, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Albany. Rev. Bruce English and Rev. Bruce Gordon will officiate. Interment will follow in Leesburg Cemetery.

Born in Colquitt, GA, Mr. Whitaker was a graduate of West Bainbridge High School and had served in the Air Force. He moved to the Albany, GA area in 1961 and had been a resident of Lee Co., GA for the past twenty five years.

He was a former Boy Scout leader, a hunter safety instructor and was an ordained Deacon, Sunday school teacher and former Trustee at Sunnyside Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon at Byne Memorial Baptist Church. Mr. Whitaker retired from Merck & Co after twenty five years. He was presently a member of the First Baptist Church of Albany and a member of the Legacy Builders Sunday School Class.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred Gordon, Delma Hoover and a brother, Lynwood Whitaker.

Survivors include his wife of fifty four years, Sue Moore Whitaker, Lee Co., GA, a son, Michael Whitaker (Cindy), Alabaster, AL, a daughter, Staci Whitaker Wright (Hank), Lee Co., GA, four grandchildren, Amy Smith (Rodney), Grant Whitaker (Ashley), Kelsey Whitaker, Chloe Wright, two great-grandchildren, Audrey Smith and Evan Smith, a sister, Nina Pickren, Colquitt, GA, three brothers, Melvin Whitaker, Bainbridge, GA, Lester Whitaker, Norman Park, GA, and Bill Whitaker, Sylvester, GA.

The family will receive friends Friday from 1:30 p.m. until the funeral hour at First Baptist Church of Albany.

Those desiring may make memorials to First Baptist Church of Albany, 145 Oakland Pkwy., Leesburg, GA, 31763 or The Anchorage, 162 Hampton Lane, Leesburg, GA, 31763