Obituary of Mary-Virginia-Epps Whitaker

Yakima, Washington - Mary Virginia Epps Whitaker died at home on Tuesday morning, August 19, 2003. She had been ill for a short time with central nervous system lymphoma. Virginia (Ginny) was third of ten children born to Benjamin Thomas Epps and Omie Lucile Williams Epps. She was born on October 31, 1918 in Clarke County, Georgia and enjoyed her Halloween birthday all her life, often dressing as a witch to greet children at the door.Ginny was a graduate of Athens High School and the University of Georgia, both in Athens, Georgia. She taught high school in Tate and in Thomaston, Georgia, and worked as a home economist for the Georgia Power Company in Vienna and Montezuma, Georgia. During WWII she was a Link Trainer instructor at the Naval Air Station in Atlanta and then an American Red Cross Club Assistant in Shemya and Kodiak, Alaska. It was in Kodiak that she met her future husband, H.W. (Bill) Whitaker, Jr. They were married on March 16, 1946 in Athens Georgia and moved directly to Yakima where they have lived for the past 57 years except for 1966-68 when they lived in Mercer Island, WA.Once Ginny arrived in Yakima, she made it her home, setting about serving on boards and committees of organizations that support and improve a community, making life fuller and richer for those who live there. She served in board or other leadership positions for Allied Arts, Altrusa, American Association of University Women, American Red Cross, E.P.I.C., Gilbert House, Head Start, Junior Programs, League of Women Voters, Presbyterian Synod of Alaska-Northwest, numerous PTA's, Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, Yakima County Council of Children, Yakima First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian Churches, Yakima Valley College Early Childhood Education Program, and Yakima YWCA. At various times she was a substitute teacher for Yakima Public Schools, a preschool teacher for Westpark Kindergarten, Yakima Head Start and Union Bay Preschool in Seattle. She was an instructor at Yakima Valley College in the Family Life and Early Childhood Education Programs. Ginny made a 'mini career' as Amelia Earhart visiting schools as part of the Women in History Program. After 'retiring' Ginny had an estate sale business with several other women and continued her involvement in the community often serving in advisory capacities. Above all, Ginny valued family, supporting them in all that they did, never giving up on the essential goodness of others.Virginia is survived by Bill, her husband of 57 years, four children: Judith Ginn (Rand), Harry William Whitaker III (Suzie), Phyllis 'Punky' Frisvold (Randy) and Virginia 'DeeDee' Dean (Jim), eight grandchildren: William R. Ginn (Laura), Andrew Y. Ginn, Kathryn J. Ginn, Amanda C. Whitaker, Harry William Whitaker IV, Eric P. Frisvold, Gregory S. Dean, Michael W. Dean, and one great-grandson, Thomas R. Ginn. She is also survived by three brothers, Charles Epps (Phyllis) of Topsham, Maine, George Epps (Doris) of Harvest, Alabama, E. Patrick Epps (Ann) of Atlanta, Georgia, three sisters-in-law, Jerry Epps, Atlanta, Dee Epps, Stockbridge, GA, Pat Mary Epps, Athens, GA, one brother-in-law, Lloyd Utley of Jackson, Tenn and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Galt and Rosamond Utley, and three brothers, Ben T. Epps, Harry Epps and Doug Epps.A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2003, at 11 AM at Yakima First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, Virginia would appreciate donations to Jane's House Early Learning Center at YVC, American Red Cross, E.P.I.C., YMCA, Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.Please sign our Guest Book at www.onlineathens.com.Athens Banner-Herald, Friday, Aug. 22, 2003