Thelma Dickerson Whitaker

Thelma Jane Dickerson Whitaker, 86 of Radford, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2013. She is preceded in death by her mother and earthly father, John & Eva Dickerson; eight brothers and sisters. Thelma retired from the New River Valley Detention Home. She was a former member of the Red Hat Society. She fought and won her lengthy battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband, Howard Thurman Whitaker, Sr.; sons & daughters-in-law, Jerry & Judy, Howard Jr. & Kathy, John T., Michael R., Woodrow C., and Randy & Carrie Whitaker; daughter, Beatrice Faye Sorah; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, George, Bill & Roy Dickerson; a very special sister, Gloria Graves; special sister-in-law, Wanda Dickerson; brother-in-law, Curtis Graves; several nieces & nephews; and special friends, Howard Sowers and Phillip Radford.

Graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at the Big Sand Cemetery with Rev. Wallace Yopp officiating. Interment will follow the service. The family will receive friends from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel prior to the service.