Edward Wayne Whitaker

Edward “Eddie” Wayne Whitaker, age 53, of Colquitt died Monday, January 15, 2024, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 11:00 at First Baptist Church of Colquitt with Rev. Cory Thomas, Rev. Tim Bell and Rev. Tony Buczek officiating. Interment will follow at Colquitt City Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Colquitt Funeral Home. 

Brent Whitaker, David Bell, Tim Martin, Allen Givens, Scott Warren, and Mike Simmons will serve as pallbearers. T.T. Barber, Dylan Johnson, Jordan Newberry, Abi Smith, Saige Yates, Nicholas Whitaker, Will Durham, Mary Katherine Spooner, Jackson Fleet and WC Yates, Jr will serve as honorary pallbearers. A special section will be reserved for all previous students and ball players.

Before becoming an educator, Eddie worked with Farm Bureau in Colquitt and Blakely.  He also was the Miller County Recreation Department Director.  Eddie decided to pursue his educational degree at Albany State University.  He received a Bachelor of Science in History, Physical Education, and Economics. He also obtained his Master of Education in Leadership from Valdosta State University.  Eddie worked with the Miller County School System as the Alternative School Director for ten years.  This is where Eddie touched the lives of students who needed someone to love them, to be firm and look beyond the flaws that so many others saw.  Eddie not only touched the lives in the classroom, but also on the softball, baseball, and football fields.  He was the head baseball coach for the Pirates where he led them to several region championships. Eddie finished his career at Mitchell County High School as a History teacher. 

Eddie was a “love him” or “hate him" kind of guy. You either loved him because he treated everyone the same or hated him because he treated everyone the same.  

Eddie’s favorite loves in life were his Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves, The Dallas Cowboys and his grandbaby, Blayke.

Eddie leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Christy Worsley Whitaker, Colquitt; two sons, Kaleb Whitaker, Colquitt, and Kameron Whitaker, Atlanta; two daughters, Kelley (Evan) Joyner, Midland, Alea Worsley, Donalsonville; one granddaughter, Blayke Phillips, Donalsonville; parents, Ronald and Beverly Whitaker, Donalsonville; one brother, Randy (Kim) Whitaker, Carrolton.

Eddie is preceded in death by his grandparents, Herman and Essie Whitaker and Flemming and Grace McDuffie, a nephew, Aaron Whitaker.

Colquitt Funeral Home oversaw the arrangements.