Roy Reese Whitenton

Tupelo - Roy Reese Whitenton, 79, died Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after a sudden illness. A Lee County native and lifelong resident, he was born December 30, 1928, to Thomas A. and Annie Jennings Whitenton. He was a 1948 graduate of Tupelo High School and married Bettye Clayton Whitenton June 16, 1950. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was co-owner of Tupelo Lumber Company since 1978 and had also worked as a builder developer and realtor. He enjoyed boating and especially loved the time he spent with his children and grandchildren on his farm and with his boat. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. James Catholic Church with Father Tom Lalor officiating. Burial will be in Dorsey Cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Bettye Clayton Whitenton of Tupelo; three sons, Troy Whitenton and wife, Becky, R.J. Whitenton, and Thomas Whitenton and wife, Michelle, all of Tupelo; and five grandchildren, Tucker, Bristy, Joseph, Henry, and Nicholas Whitenton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lettie Whitenton Platt; three brothers, A.T. Whitenton, Elbert Whitenton, and Forrest Whitenton.

Pallbearers will be Doug Whitenton, Jason Whitenton, Jerry Bristow, Earl Creely, Dennis Smith, and Elmer Clark.

Honorary pallbearers will be the 1948 graduating class of Tupelo High School.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A Vigil with Rosary for the Deceased will follow. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service time Friday at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church, 845 Lakeshire, Tupelo MS 38804; or The Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.