Buddy Jaye Whitaker, 60, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017, at North Mississippi Medical Center, Hospice. He was born December 17, 1956, to Milburn Forrest and Lacey Jewel Garner Whitaker and raised by his step-father, T.J. Miller. Buddy drove a cab for many years in the Tupelo area. On December 28, 1976, he married Elizabeth Scott in Birmingham Ridge. Buddy enjoyed bowling, fishing, watching baseball, especially the Cubs and playing cards with his friends. He dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of First United Pentecostal Church, Verona.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth Whitaker of Okolona; son, Steven Whitaker (LeeAnn) of Ocean Springs; sister, Donna Kaye Sullivan (Frankie) of Lake Piomingo; brother-in-law, Steve Scott of Texas; grandchildren, Kirstein Whitaker, Matthew Whitaker, Austin Whitaker, Zachery Whitaker, Melody Miller, Shae Criddle and Destiny Criddle; great-grandchildren, Emma Kate, Lily, Harper, Jayden, Aubrey and Kinsley and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father and two sisters, Debbie Baughman and Margaret Mask.
Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday, October 16, 2017, at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo.
Services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. John McAlister officiating. Burial will be in McNeil Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Young, Jody Hampton, Brandon Lee, Derrick Hindo, Tommy Jackson, Farris Keith.
Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Lee, Skip Alfred, Jon Trimm and Brad Patterson.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
