Rev. Ronald Whitten Sr.

Rev. Ronald “Ronnie” Charles Whitten, Sr., age 80, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Parkwest Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, and is now resting in the presence of our Lord and Savior whom he dedicated his life and ministry on this earth. He retired from the First Baptist Church in Rising Sun, IN, and made his retirement home in Knoxville, where he became a member of Central Baptist church Bearden. Born in Leesburg, FL on January 23, 1942, Ronnie spent most of his younger years in Sanford, FL. As a young boy, he always wanted to be a preacher, and later taught a Sunday School class at Sanford’s First Baptist Church. In Sanford, he had a paper route, frequent visits to the beach, preached to the local kids and animals, and later played football while attending Seminole High School. When his dad received his assignment as Fire Chief at the Sangley Point Naval Base, Philippines, he attended and graduated the John Paul Jones High School there in 1960. A United States Air Force veteran, he served in Sondestrom, Greenland, Tachikawa, Japan (receiving the wounded from the Vietnam War), and Myrtle Beach, SC. And received the notable “Airman of the Year” in 1967. While serving in SC, he met the love of his lifetime, Joyce Irene Dover of Shelby, NC. Beginning after marriage in Shelby on January 31, 1965, they embarked on a 57 year voyage together raising a wonderful family and winning many souls to Christ. He began working in Hospital Administration at Duke University Hospital, Durham NC, and Cleveland Memorial Hospital, Shelby, NC, until 1975, when he decided to pursue his ministerial calling and enrolled in Fruitland Baptist Bible College in Hendersonville, NC. To further his education, Ronnie attended Bryan College in Dayton, TN, Boyce Bible School in Louisville, KY, and then received his MDiv Degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He pastored many other churches; Union Baptist Church, Lamb, IN, Brookfield Baptist Church, Brookfield, IN, Spring Hill Baptist Church, Trenton, TN, Wirt Baptist Church, Madison, IN, and Middlebrook Pike Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN. Ronnie was preceded in death by parents, Claude Michael and Mary Ellen (Wyatt) Whitten; father-in-law Robert Lee Dove; mother-in-law Irene Elizabeth (Roberts) Dover; brother Timothy Claude Whitten; brother-in-law William Yates Dover; sister-in-law Donna Jean (Dover) Elliot; brother-in-law Larry Thomas Elliot; and son, Ronald Charles Whitten, Jr. Ronnie leaves behind his lovely wife, Joyce Whitten; brothers Gene (Connie) Whitten, Terry (Chris) Whitten; children, Jonathan (Tammy) Whitten, Tanya (James) Dill; daughter-in-law Kathy Whitten; grandchildren, Matthew Whitten, Mary Ruth Whitten, Jenny Lynn Whitten, Ashley Whitten, and Gracie Dill. He also leaves many nieces and nephews he was very proud of. Ronald’s favorite activity was spending time talking and laughing with his family and friends, especially telling jokes and stories to his grandkids. The family would like to thank all the many friends and others who have offered prayers, sent expressions of love and kindness, and given practical help on behalf of our family during these days. A Graveside Service & Full Military Honors will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 2:00pm in a Chapel at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. At the request of Ronald, Rev. Mark Moreland is officiating the service. In lieu of flowers, please make all memorial donations to the American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org. Online condolences may be made at rosefuneraltn.com.

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Rev. Ronald Whitten Sr.

January 23, 1942 - January 4, 2023