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Order of ServiceProcessional The Family
Greeting Reverend Dr. Kennard MurrayClark Memorial United Methodist Church
Opening Hymn Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior Clark Memorial UMCCombined Choirs
Opening Prayer Reverend Dr. Larry ThomasAssociate Minister, Greater First Baptist Church
Lewisburg, TN
Scripture Reading Old Testament Reverend William H. JohnsonGreater First Baptist Church
Lewisburg, TN
New Testament Reverend Kennard Murray
Musical Selection How Excellent Clark Memorial UMCCombined Choirs
Obituary (Read Silently)
Acknowledgements Mr. Barry Grider
Reflections Reverend John T. Flack, IIIBedford County Historian
Dwight Lewis, CousinFormer TSU Baseball Player
Dr. William HeadFormer Fisk Football PlayerAsst. Coach Fisk University
Larry ColeFormer TSU Baseball Player
Homer WheatonLong Time Friend
Dr. Joe Cornelius, Professor Former TSU Football Player
Michael Whitmon, SonFormer Fisk Football Player
Soloist I Won't Complain Emory Quince, Nephew Knoxville, TN
Eulogy Reverend V.H. “Sonnye” Dixon, Jr.Hobson United Methodist Church
Dismissal with Blessing Reverend Dr. Kennard MurrayClark Memorial United Methodist Church
Closing Hymn When We All Get to Heaven Clark Memorial UMCCombined Choirs
Reverend V.H. “Sonnye” Dixon, Jr., Eulogist
ObituarySamuel Raymond “Coach Whit” Whitmon was born on October 27, 1926 in Shelbyville, Tennessee to the late
Jennie Mae Whitmon and Charlie B. Whitmon. He was united in holy matrimony to Dorothy Mae Mallory and to
this union four children were born.
He was preceded in death by his devoted and beautiful wife, Dorothy Mae Mallory Whitmon; parents, Charlie and
Jennie Whitmon; brothers, Charlie B. Rogers, Willie, Richard, David, Melvin, and Cecil Whitmon.
Raymond attended Bedford County Training School in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He graduated as class Valedictorian
and was the only male student in his class. After high school he attended Tennessee State University where he
played football as halfback from 1944 to 1947 earning All-American honors and helping lead the team to its first
two National Black College championships in 1946 and 1947. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from TSU
in 1947. After graduation, he coached at Bedford County Training School before being drafted into the Army where
he also coached football during the Korean War.
After he was discharged from the Army he returned to TSU in 1953. He was hired as an assistant football coach for
the next 16 years. Also, he served as head baseball coach during this time, compiling 300 victories and established
himself as the winningest baseball coach in TSU history. He was awarded the “Mr. Baseball” Award in 2007 by
the Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association.
In 1968, he was named Head Football Coach at Fisk University. There, he led the team to its 1st ever championship
and 1st nationally televised appearance.
He returned to TSU in 1978 where he served as Athletic Director and taught biology until his retirement in 1996.
He spent his summers working in Metro Parks and Recreation coaching baseball. In 1983, he was inducted into
the Tennessee State University Sports Hall of Fame. He was an avid golfer. He was one of the founding members
of The Untouchables. He served on the Bordeaux YMCA Board of Trustees. He was appointed by Mayor Richard
Fulton in 1979 to serve on the Metropolitan Beer Board and held this position for 28 years.
He is survived by a loving and devoted family; loving father to Michael Anthony Whitmon, Jennifer Ann Smith,
Patsey Yvette (Larry) Thomas, and Penne Yvonne (Lewis) Leeper; grandfather of Kimberlee (Timothy) Williams,
Marques and Marvin (Danielle) Whitmon; Terry Smith II, Elgin Smith and Kimery (Kevin) Grant; Patrick, Victoria
and Samantha Thomas; Trey, Mallory and Jonathan Leeper; very devoted brother-in-law, Frank Mallory, Sr. of
Knoxville, Tennessee and sister-in-laws, Vickie Mallory of Knoxville, Tennessee, Annie Whitman of Nashville,
Tennessee and Jacqueline Whitmon of Chargin Falls, Ohio; 12 great grandchildren and cousin Henryne White of
Nashville, Tennessee.
Acknowledgements
Celebrating A Wonderful Life™ is a registered trademark of Broadwater and Associates Group, Inc.
Copyright © 2007 by Broadwater and Associates Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Teresa Phillips Tennessee State University FamilyJ.B. Knowles Adult Day Center Coach Allen RobinsonMr. & Mrs. James Mims Joy M. Sims, Atty.Ms. Susan Reagan Ms. Deloise TerrellClark Memorial United Methodist Church Dr. Harvey BowlesAnthony Drumwright Mr. & Mrs. Homer WheatonMr. Barry Grider Ed's Fish for Daddy's Friday Fish PlateSt. Thomas West Hospital Fisk University Family
Program Design and Printing by
615-256-6707 ph • 615-256-6708 [email protected]
Soothe Family Heartache withDesign-In-Advance Services
For more information visitwww.celebratingawonderfullife.com
PallbearersTerry Smith IIElgin Smith
Marques WhitmonMarvin WhitmonJonathan LeeperPatrick ThomasAllen Robinson
Larry ColeLovie Hurt
Aaron HendersonTrey Leeper
Honorary PallbearersThe Untouchables, Inc.
FlowerbearersFamily and Friends
The Final Tribute, A Service by:Patton Brothers Funeral Home
1306 South StreetNashville, TN 37212
Tonya Scales-HaynesPastor Derrick L. Jackson
Funeral Directors615-256-3608
pattonbrothers.net
Special Thanks to our sister, Jennifer and nephew, Elgin for taking care of daddy.- The Family of “Coach Whit”
Our father's favorite quotes:Know well in the beginning and the end will not trouble you “much”.
Do you know who I am? You look familiar.
Happy Birthday!We'll Miss You!
- Mike, Chick, Pooh & Peapicker
Watch dem fumbles!- Tommy “Dirty” Davis
The family of Coach Whitmon would like to give thanks to all who offered prayers, food, and support to our family duringour time of grief. Words could never express our appreciation.
