Bennie Whittle, 75, of Douglas, Georgia, died peacefully at Coffee Regional Medical Center on November 4, 2023, with his beloved wife, Nancy Whittle, and his only child, Chad Whittle, by his side. He was raised in Broxton, Georgia, and was born December 7, 1947, to the late Mr. D.W. Whittle and the late Mrs. Aline Whittle.
Also preceding him in death were brother-in-law Ted Knight, husband of Sandra Knight, great-niece Addie Wilkes, daughter of Andrew and Kristy Wilkes, and his niece Anna Lane Hattaway, daughter of Dr. Donald and Sonia Hattaway.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Whittle, of Douglas, Georgia; son, Chad Whittle, his wife, Becky Whittle, and his adored granddaughter, Whitney Whittle of Milledgeville, Georgia; his sister, Sandra Knight and niece, Heather Smith, of Broxton, Georgia; sister Shelia Kinnett, brother-in-law James Kinnett, of Broxton, Georgia; niece Jamiee Hand, her husband Michael, of Ocilla, Georgia; sister-in-law, June Ellen Beverly, brother-in-law Jack Beverly of Pearson, Georgia; nephew, Jay Beverly and his children Addison and Gavin, of Pearson, Georgia; sister-in-law Karen Wilkes of Canton, Georgia; nephew, Andrew Wilkes, his wife Kristy, and their children Harper, Barrett, and Hudson of Jacksonville, Florida; nephew Kaleb Wilkes and his wife Jordan of Kennesaw, Georgia; niece Kaley June Tanner, her husband Jameson, their children, Olsen, Amos, and Issac, of Canton, Georgia; brother-in-law, Dr. Donald Hattaway, sister-in-law Sonia Hattaway, of Pearson, Georgia, and their children, Nathan and Daniel.
Bennie was, first and foremost, a family man who enjoyed spending time with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter more than anything else. He was known as a humble, gentle, kind, good man deeply loved by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and extended family.
He was introduced on a blind date to his wife, Nancy, and they were engaged three months later. They shared 42 wonderful years of marriage, and they were best friends. They enjoyed eating breakfast and drinking coffee together in the morning, watching television shows, including Heartland and Survivor, watching sermons on TV from Dr. David Jeremiah and Nancy’s brother, Dr. Don Hattaway, and being together.
Bennie was a great father to Chad, and he enjoyed spending time with his son through the years by playing with him when he was young, watching Georgia Bulldogs football games together, playing golf with him, attending the TPC at Sawgrass golf tournament, traveling on family vacations to Daytona Beach, Gatlinburg, and visiting Chad while he was away at college.
He was a veteran who was proud of his Navy service on the USS John F. Kennedy during the Vietnam War era.
Bennie was a hard worker who worked at Golden Flake Snack Foods for 25 years before retiring early due to health-related issues. Some examples of his hard work include winning tickets for his family to Disney World, Busch Gardens, Sea World, and a college football game. He would win these free tickets by outselling other salesmen in the company. Bennie was always working hard to provide a nice life for his family. He was the constant family man.
He was a member of Eastside Baptist Church and served as a Sunday School teacher along with his wife through the years. His Christian faith is what gives his family confidence in his eternal security and salvation, and they know he is in Heaven.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Eastside Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia, with a viewing at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m.
An opening prayer will be from Rev. Jon Mayes, Rev. Andrew Wilkes will share special memories, Chad Whittle will give the eulogy, and Dr. Don Hattaway will officiate. Music will be provided by pianist Jay Beverly and soloist John Glosson. The graveside interment will be held at the Roberts Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Kaleb Wilkes, Nathan Hattaway, Daniel Hattaway, Jameson Tanner, Craig McCrary, and Charles Whittle.
Honorary pallbearers are Jack Beverly, James Kinnett, and William Derrenberger.
The graveside interment will be held at the Roberts Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to Eastside Baptist Church of Douglas, Georgia, or The Gideons International to further the Gospel.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.