Gary Franklin Whittington

Gary Franklin Whittington, 57, of Apple Grove, a walking testimony to God's blessings, who has been healed for the last time, left earth for Heaven Monday, April 11, 2011 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, WV. He was born February 2, 1954 in South Charleston, WV, a son of the late Billie Lynn Whittington and Elsie Jane (Saunders) Whittington. Gary was a member of Barton Chapel Church where he attended for 34 years, and was a retired machine operator from GKN in Gallipolis, Ohio. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Lou Whittington. Gary is survived by his wife, Brenda (Litchfield) Whittington of Apple Grove; special buddy, Max; brothers and sisters, Madonna Jean (Gary) Warner of Gallipolis, OH, Alvin Paul Whittington of Point Pleasant, Rosetta Kay (Earl) Starkey of Letart, WV, Bill Allen Whittington of Gallipolis Ferry, Aubrey Joe Whittington of Ohio, Jim Edward (Carol) Whittington of Ashton, Deloris Ann Bell of Ohio, and Daniel Ray Whittington (whom he raised through his teenage years) and wife Michelle of Mason, WV; and Daniel's daughter Macie Jane Whittington who lovingly referred to him as "NaNa Gary". He is also survived by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lorena and Junior Young of Apple Grove; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Donna and Howard Sharp and their family of Apple Grove; four exchange students that were special to him, Pedro Kapkin of Columbia, South America, Paulo Quieroz of Brazil, Alejandro Ramos of Mexico, and Michael Larsson of Sweden; and a host of family and friends. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 14, 2011 at the Barton Chapel Church in Apple Grove, WV with Rev. Ronald Long officiating. Burial will follow in the Barton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday at the Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant. Online condolences may be made at www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.