Joseph Darrell Whitaker

Joseph Darrell Whitaker, 73, of Cleveland, left the embrace of his loving family on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 and was welcomed to his eternal home by his Heavenly Father, who said, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Pastor Whitaker was and ordained Bishop with the Church of God, who ministered to congregations in Georgia and Tennessee for 40 years of service to our Lord. His ministry impacted many lives as the administrator and a coach at Douglasville and Cloud Springs Christian Academy for several years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Lee and Effie Carroll Whitaker; daughter, Robin Renee' Whitaker; brothers and sister, Raymond Whitaker, Bettye W. Norris, William F. Whitaker, Lamar Whitaker and Bobby Whitaker; and special mother-in-law, Lennie S. Cofer. He leaves behind to cherish his memory; wife of 52 years, LaVonne Cofer Whitaker of Cleveland; son, J. Darrell Whitaker, II and wife, Michelle F. Whitaker; grandchildren, Marah and Joshua Whitaker, all of Cleveland; sister, Judy W. Steele and husband, John of Cullman, Alabama; special father-in-law, Loyd J. Cofer; special brother-in-laws, Lloyd Cofer, Jr. and wife, Darlene and Kenneth Cofer and wife, Debbie, all of Georgetown; host of nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with the Reverend Mike L. Starrick officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Clarence Hodge and the Reverend William Colter officiating. Nathan Cofer, Ben Cofer, Greg Steele, Roger Steele, Sean Szpur and Slade Queen will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Penny, Kent Mosley, Ralph Fisher, Bill Black, Bobby Wood, Bob Basford, Joe White, Ken Harvell, John Anderson, Dr. David Cavin and his minister friends. A white dove release will conclude the ceremony. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Whitaker family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.