Mrs. Ethel Whitaker

Obituary For Mrs. Ethel Whitaker

Mrs. Ethel Whitaker, a resident of Montgomery, AL., passed away on September 24, 2024. A graveside service will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the King/Green Family Cemetery, Montgomery, AL.

Ethel Lee (Green) Whittaker, born on February 19, 1931, in Montgomery, Alabama, peacefully passed away on September 24, 2024, at the age of 93. Ethel was the beloved daughter of the late John and Estelle King Green and grew up surrounded by love in the heart of Montgomery.

In the early 1960s, Ethel moved to Connecticut, seeking new opportunities for herself and her growing family. As a devoted mother of nine children, Ethel’s strength, determination, and endless love were the foundation of her life. She worked tirelessly as a housekeeper and cook, dedicating herself to providing for her nine children and instilling in them the values of hard work, kindness, and resilience.

In the mid-1970s, Ethel relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, where she continued her career in hospitality. She cooked at K&W, The Roanoker, (the old) Roanoke Airport, The Holiday Inn, The Sheraton, The Marriott, and The Wyndham. She was known for her no nonsense, stern disposition, yet warm smile and generous spirit. She was a cherished figure amongst her family and friends.

Ethel’s greatest pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and extended family. Positioned as the matriarch within her family, she was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin and friend. She was always offering a listening ear, a helping hand, and a heart full of love. Her legacy is one of grace, strength, and unwavering dedication to her family.

Ethel loved to travel to Alabama and Detroit to visit family. In early days, she would pack the station wagon with her children, their friends, as well as food and clothes to take to family members. She would party with her nieces and nephews in Detroit. Her nieces and nephews in Alabama would keep her updated on what was going on with the family there.

Ethel was preceded in death by her loving husband, Willie Whittaker; three of her children, Mary Green, Jeffrey Green, and William Green; grandson, Byron L. Whittaker; all of her sibling, Corine Price, Bernice Vison, John Clinton Green, James Green, Joesiah Green, Sadie Bolden, and Rutha Green (her twin sister).

She is survived by her children Phillip (Darlene) Green of Beckly, WV; Delphia Green, Cedric (Linda) Green, Eunice Thomas, Ralphola (Mark) Armstrong, and Althea Green; grandchildren, Frank (Faith) Bell, Henry (Melissa) Bell, Linda Bell, Timothy Bell, Rashawn (Jason) Williams, Phillip Green Jr., Katrina Griffen, Constance Rivera, Latoya Green, Mishel’la (Tuan) White, Chelsea’ (Antonio) Franklin, Quincy Green, My’la Green, Dominique Thomas, Raymelle Armstrong, Christopher (Jasmine) Cook, Taneshia Cook. She had a total of twenty grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Though she is no longer with us in body, Ethel’s spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her boundless love, her fierce loyalty to her family, and the impact she made on everyone she met.

A celebration of Ethel’s life will be held 6:00 PM, Monday, September 30, 2024, at Serenity Funeral Home 126 Gilmer Ave, Roanoke VA 24016. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment with graveside services will be held in the King/Green Family Cemetery, Montgomery, AL.

To view a live stream of the service, click here at the time of the service.