Mrs. Donnell H. Whitaker, 84, of Adel, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Tift Health and Rehabilitation Center in Tifton.  She was born on May 17, 1933 in Enigma, Georgia to John Jay Henderson and Martha "Mot" Walker Henderson.  After her husband, Charles, retired from the military in 1971, they moved to Cook County.  Mrs. Whitaker was a member of Westside Baptist Church in Adel and a retired registered nurse and past director of the Berrien County Health Department.

Mrs. Whitaker is survived by seven children and their spouses: Scotty and Monese Whitaker of Adel, Lonnie and Louise Whitaker of Salado, TX, Donnie Whitaker of Columbus, GA, Sonya and Jerry Permenter of Adel, Mark and Kristie Whitaker of Adel, Sonny and Jill Whitaker of Shallotte, NC, Wanda and Tom Meyer of Lake Park, GA; 21 grandchildren and their spouses: John C. and Christy Whitaker of Adel, Shaun and Jesse Whitaker of Salado, TX, Jeremy and Shawn Whitaker of Salado, TX, Leslie and Scott Chamblin of Tallahassee, FL, Lee and Abbey Whitaker of Beaufort, SC, William and Ashley Whitaker of Bonaire, GA, April and Ray Sharp of Adel, Brooke and Luke Rountree of Adel, Jake Whitaker of Hahira, Jayla and Blake Jackson of Valdosta, Jenna Clark of Hahira, John Whitaker of Tifton, Jared Whitaker of Folkston, GA, Kris Whitaker of Folkston, Morgan Whitaker of Adel, Jordan Whitaker of Adel, Keith Missildine of Hahira, Nick Meyer of Lake Park, Brandi Daniels, Clinton McGee and Jessi Smith, all of Shallotte, NC; 22 great-grandchildren; a sister, Wanda Keene of Tifton; and a daughter-in-law, Wendy Whitaker Lee.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles B.N. Whitaker, Jr.; her son, J. J. Whitaker; a granddaughter, Kristen Whitaker; three brothers: Cecil Henderson, Clyde Henderson and her twin, Donald Henderson; and a sister, Violet Coarsey.

The funeral service for Mrs. Whitaker was held Monday February 26, 2018 at 2 PM at Westside Baptist Church with Rev. Bob Willis officiating.  Interment followed at Woodlawn City Cemetery in Adel.  The family received friends at Westside Baptist Church one hour prior to the service.  Jared Whitaker, John C. Whitaker, John Jay Whitaker, Kris Whitaker, Jake Whitaker, Keith Missildine, Nick Meyer, Lee Whitaker, William Whitaker, Shaun Whitaker and Jeremy Whitaker served as pallbearers.  The Rountree Family sang "Beulah Land" and "In the Sweet By and By."  In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Mrs. Whitaker to Westside Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.boonefunerals.com .  --Boone Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements.