Charles Whitaker

With hearts full of gratitude and love, we celebrate the remarkable life of our beloved father, grandfather, veteran, patriarch and community pillar who peacefully transitioned on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished so deeply. He was 92 years old, and true to his character, he worked hard and lived fully until his health finally required him to rest.

Born on August 29, 1933, in Manning, Arkansas, he was the proud son of George Whitaker and Era Lee Butler Whitaker, who instilled in him the values of faith, discipline, hard work, and self-respect—principles he carried with him throughout his life and passed on to his children and grandchildren.

A tall, handsome, and strikingly sharp man, he was admired for his strong presence. He graduated from Sparkman Training School in 1952, marking the beginning of a life rooted in responsibility, perseverance, and purpose. Answering the call of duty, he honorably served his country as a United States Army veteran, enrolling on January 11, 1954, at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. His service reflected his deep sense of patriotism, courage, and commitment—qualities that never left him.

A true provider and tireless worker, he dedicated 35 years of faithful service to Reynolds Metal Company, earning the respect of colleagues and leadership before retiring. Not one to slow down, he continued working, beginning a new chapter at Ray White Lumber Company in February 1991, where his work ethic and reliability once again spoke for themselves. Work was not just what he did—it was who he was.

He was a devoted father of eight children, a man who believed in hard work, strong family bonds, and doing things his way. He built a legacy of strength, independence, and resilience, teaching his family by example rather than words. His life was a blueprint of what it meant to stand firm, provide, and love deeply.

A lifelong member of Centerpoint African Methodist Episcopal Church, his faith anchored him through every season of life. He was also a proud member of the Masonic Lodge and the Butler Hunting Club, where fellowship, tradition, and brotherhood were deeply valued.

An outdoorsman at heart, he loved to hunt and spend quality time with his boys, creating memories rooted in laughter, lessons, and love. He truly lived the life he loved and loved the life he lived, embracing each day with purpose and pride.

Though he departed this life on a sacred holiday, Christmas Day - a day symbolizing love, hope, and peace - his legacy continues to live on through his children, grandchildren, extended family, and all who were blessed to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Mary W. Delamar (May 5, 1984), Milton Whitaker (November 24, 2015), Robert Whitaker (January 28, 2019), Marvin Edward Whitaker (February 3, 2019), George Thomas Whitaker (June 23, 2019), Bessie Bowman (July 22, 2021) and Erma Jean Yarber (October 28, 2024).

He leaves his children, Bobbie (Sam) Bryant of Malvern, AR, Henry Charles Whitaker (Regina Hart) of Arkadelphia, AR, Oleater Quarles of Sparkman, AR, Sammy Whitaker (Barbara Delamar) of Houston, TX; Michael (Lorra) Whitaker of Arkadelphia, Carlos (Classina) Whitaker of Houston TX; Haja (Jacqueline) Newburn of Arkadelphia and Courtney Reed of Arkadelphia; eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Patricia A. Whitaker of Sparkman and Bessie Whitaker of Springhill, LA. He also leaves numerous hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and the Ray White Lumber Company Family.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Home going services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. The interment will be at Houston-Turner Cemetery in Dalark, Arkansas.

Active pallbearers will be Kendall Quarles, Adrian Whitaker, Todd Whitaker, Shunn Newborn, Latavious Johnson, Jaxon Whitaker, Jase Whitaker, Keenan Whitaker, and Kendrick Whitaker.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Whitaker, Arthur Whitaker, Robert Whitaker, Jeffery Whitaker, David Whitaker, Calvin Whitaker, Kenneth Whitaker, Gene Whitaker, Willie Eason, Louis Butler, Kirk Jones, Brian Whitaker, Orlando Whitaker, Jason Bullock, Erik Bullock, Richard Smith, Sammy Delamar, Ray Delamar, Clyde Delamar, Eldridge Jones, Gale Jones Jr., and Chris Jones.