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Susan P. (Russell) Whitehead passed away May 3, 2023, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by parents, Ephram and Retta (Honeycutt) Russell; siblings, Delmer, Jimmy, Jay, Lewis, Richard, Janet Hill and Arlene Honeycutt. She is survived by siblings, Frankie Whitehead, Brenda Sheets, Sandra Roberts and Marie Blevins.
Roy J. Whitehead passed away November 26, 2017, also at home surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by parents, Robert and Madge (Wright) Whitehead, and siblings, Robert Jr., Carl, Ben and Curtis. He is survived by siblings, Carmen (Louise), Wanda Buckles and Estella Hicks.
They are both survived by children, Kathy Grindstaff, Joyce Grimmett (David), Linda Sulkowski (Viktor) and Ray Whitehead (Sarah); grandchildren, John Grindstaff (Marsha), Erica Powell (David), Thomas Whitehead (Jessica), Jennifer Whitehead, Matthew Whitehead (Kristi) and Summer Grimmett (Neal); great-grandchildren Faith, Sarah Elizabeth, Elijah, Christian, Cooper, Luke and Leeann; and one great-great-grandchild, Zoey.
They were faithful members of Willow Springs Baptist Church. They were well-known and loved within their community as kind, hard-working and generous people. Roy worked many years for the U.S. Forest Service before his retirement. He loved the outdoors and could always be found fishing or tending his garden. Susan was always known as a fantastic cook and always had food for company. She worked in the cafeteria at Unaka High School and was much loved by the students for her cooking (especially her rolls). To anyone who knew them knows their passion and dedication to their garden. They could always be found lovingly tending it every day. It was an essential part of both of their lives, as was sharing their produce. They were incredibly generous people and always made sure visitors left with green beans, tomatoes, corn (or all the above!)
A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, May 11, at Willow Springs Baptist Church at 6 p.m. with the receiving of friends and a brief service to follow. Doug Rasnick will be officiating and John Grindstaff will deliver the eulogy. Music will be under the direction of Bobby Smith. Songs to be played were among Mr. Whitehead’s favorites and he could often be heard singing or humming them, which is a special memory for his children and grandchildren. The flowers for the service will be arranged to reflect Mrs. Whitehead’s love of her flowers and gardens.
Friends and family may call at the residence at anytime. For those who wish in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the youth program of their church or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
A special thank you to Dr. Kenneth Hopland and Caris Healthcare Hospice for the care they delivered to Mrs. Whitehead and to Amedisys Hospice for the care of Mr. Whitehead.