Edward Lee Whitsett, Jr. (affectionately known as Lee), was born October 17, 1929 to the late Mrs. Cora Kelly and Mr. Edward Lee Whitsett, Sr. in Greensboro, NC. He departed this life peacefully on June 24, 2010 at his residence in White Plains, MD after a lengthy illness.
Edward was raised in Greensboro, NC and attended public school there. He was always dedicated to his family as he didn’t further his education in order to help his mother care for his siblings. In 1950 he relocated to Washington, DC and worked for the DC government as a Sanitary Engineer for twenty years. Edward and Gloria united in marriage and raised five children in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1967, he went to work for Grand Union as a Produce Clerk and moved to stocking meats. The customers knew where to find Edward as he was always singing in the aisles as he worked. He was truly missed by his customers when he retired. After retirement, he enjoyed driving Gloria to and from work. While waiting for Gloria he spent his time bowling and taking care of his grandchildren.
And so it is after a life full of love, laughter, friendship, advising, and taking care of, the Lord called Edward Lee Whitsett home to rest. What an awesome legacy he has left us to emulate. God called and he answered. As he ran to meet the Lord, completing his journey here, 2 Timothy 4:7 reflects how he must have felt: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
He leaves to cherish precious memories and to carry on his legacy, his loving and devoted wife of 45 years, Gloria Jean Whitsett; his children Carolyn Mitchell (late – Furman) of Greensboro, NC, Alonzo Whitsett of Forest Heights, MD, Roszonna Whitsett, Tyrone Whitsett (Mae), Edward Whitsett (Sonya), former daughter-in-law Karen Whitsett all of Charles County, MD, and Anita Johnson (William) of Suitland, MD; sixteen grandchildren, Benjamin Knight, Tony Nelson, Ebony Nelson, Pursha Nelson, Anthony Bradford, Kiara Whitsett, Cherita Whitsett, Jordon Holmes, Treavon Whitsett, Tyler Moncayo, Quynton Holmes, Joshua Whitsett, Zoi Whitsett, Jazmine Whitsett, Taniah Whitsett, and Ariana Whitsett; and four great grandchildren, Adrian Knight, Natia Knight, Tania Knight, and Saniya Nelson; his brother Charles Whitsett, and Jannie Sadler of Greensboro, NC, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and lifetime friends. Edward Whitsett was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Fred Kelly, Frank Kelly, Robert Kelly Sr., William Whitsett, Coretha Whitsett, James Kelly, Walter Kelly, Andrew Kelly, Earline Rankin, Verlina Barnes, and Percell Kelly.
As a man of great compassion, dignity, conviction, and love of his family, Edward Lee Whitsett, Jr. will be truly missed.
Viewing will be at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home Tuesday June 29, 2010 7-9 pm and June 30, 2010 10-11 am
Service will be at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home Wednesday June 30, 2010 at 11am.
Tyrone and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
To Ms. Gloria Whitsett and family: Ms. Whitsett, I am a long-time Marine Corps brother of your son Aaron. I have had the extreme pleasure of meeting you and the family many, many years ago. After meeting the family, I now know why Aaron is one of the best people I have ever met in my life. Very few families I have seen with a genuine love for one another as i have seen with your family when i visited years ago. It became obvious to me that it was because of you, your mother, and your husband Mr. Edward Whitsett Jr. Aaron was a fine person because he was raised by some very fine people. The legacy of your husband lives on in Aaron and his siblings, and from my view, what an outstanding legacy to leave behind. Please accept my condolences and prayers for the family, and know that I am with you all in constant thought and prayers. God bless and know that Jesus has the power over death, and like lazarus, one day all of God’s children shall rise again! Amen