Earl Whitwell

EARL EMERSON WHITWELL



Dr. Earl Emerson Whitwell, 70, of Tupelo, Mississippi, passed away November 8, 2013 peacefully in his sleep. After a 13 year battle with Parkinson?s disease, Earl crossed the veil, finally healed and eternally restored. His life of service and his spirit of generosity were two outstanding hallmarks of his character and the true measurement of a life well-lived.



Earl was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 12, 1943. He grew up in the small town of Senatobia, Mississippi. An Eagle Scout, Earl was an intelligent, active young man, enjoying all sports, but excelling in football. He graduated as the Senatobia High School Valedictorian in the spring of 1961. Accepting a college football scholarship, Earl attended the University of Virginia for two years. He returned to Mississippi to complete his undergraduate work at the University of Mississippi but gained acceptance to the University of Mississippi School of Medicine after his junior year of college. He completed his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1968. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery in July of 1973, and he was subsequently board certified as a diplomate by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in 1974. He became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in 1977.



Dr. Earl moved to Tupelo, Mississippi and began a successful twenty-eight year orthopedic career becoming the founding member of the Tupelo Orthopedic Clinic, practicing from 1973-2001. Active both in the church and the community, Dr. Earl served many local residents over the years, including working with the Tupelo High School football program as team doctor for nearly two decades. He also conducted the Crippled Children?s Clinic throughout his entire career. He was a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Mississippi Orthopedic Society, serving as President in the 1990?s.



Earl was married to Valerie Argo Whitwell on December 14, 1990, and they were married for 23 years. He was an avid sportsman. He also loved playing golf and watching college football. A World War II history buff, Earl was a voracious reader and a lifetime learner, imparting wisdom to both family and friends. He was an advisory board member with the Mississippi Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Save a Life Foundation during the 1980?s. Most recently, his passion has been serving at The Orchard in Tupelo as a spiritual mentor and discipleship leader, along with serving on the Jeremiah Council for over a decade.



The funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at The Orchard, a United Methodist congregation. The service will be officiated by Bryan Collier, senior pastor of The Orchard. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at The Orchard. Private burial will follow the funeral at Tupelo Memorial Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by W.E. Pegues Funeral Home.



Earl is survived by his wife Valerie Argo Whitwell; his three children, Andy Whitwell and his wife Callie (Dallas), Jenny Christensen and her husband Paul (Nashville), and Sami Whitwell, currently attending the University of Virginia. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Luca, Emerson and Peyton, along with his in-laws Charles and Mickie Argo; his two brothers Joseph W. Whitwell (Atlanta) and Robert Q. Whitwell (Oxford); his niece and nephews; and the rest of his family and friends.



Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Warlick Whitwell and Lucille Bean Whitwell.



Pallbearers are Stephen Farmer, Joe Fields, Joey Hutto, Keith Lawrence, Don Leathers, Mitch Massey, Tommy Morgan, John Phillips, Ray Reed, Keith Roberts, Rud Robison and Charles Buddy Wikle. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Jeremiah Council at The Orchard in Tupelo, Mississippi.



In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic, 100 Park Gate Ext # A2H, Tupelo, MS 38801, or The Orchard, 1379 Coley Rd, Tupelo, MS 38826.