Julia Johnston Whitten
Julia Johnston Whitten, age 82, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017, at Abbey Hospice in Social Circle, Ga.
Julia Whitten was born in Rhine, Ga. to the late Mattie Floy Harrell Johnston and Robert Bryant Johnston, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her son, William Henry Whitten, Jr. and brother, Robert B. Johnston, Jr.
She married Billy Whitten on September 5, 1953 in Shady Dale. During Mr. Whitten’s years in the Air Force, Julia and her family relocated to South Carolina, California, Hawaii, North Carolina, Michigan and Louisiana. She received the certificate of appreciation award for her devotion and dedication to duty during his Air Force career.
After retiring from the Air Force, they returned to their roots in the Piedmont community of Jasper County where she and “Mr. Billy” farmed, growing hay and raising beef cattle.
Julia was a member of Smithboro Baptist Church where she worked in the nursery and taught Sunday school classes over the years. She also worked in some of the local stores throughout the years.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, William Henry “Billy” Whitten, Sr. of Monticello; children, Deborah Susan “Debbie” Waggoner of Orange City, Fla. and son, Richard A. “Ricky” (Helen) Whitten of Orange City, Fla.; grandchildren, Michael Tyler Whitten, Gary Adair, Alicia Zalewski and Amy Adair; great-grandchildren, Hannah Brownlee, Hailee Brownlee and Karissa Sibley; and sister and brothers, Cora Elizabeth “Betty” Lucas of Jeffersonville, Joseph Hulon Johnston of Monticello, John Wright Johnston of Monticello and Roy Talmadge Johnston of Monticello.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 12, 2017, at the chapel of Jordan Funeral Home. Revs. Stan Patterson and Joe Ezzard will officiate.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Smithboro Baptist Church 314 Smithboro Road, Monticello, Ga. 31064; or The Gideons International Processing Center P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.