[Greater-Baltimore] Sad News:

[Kenneth Chrane]

Jerry N. Whittle, January 10, 1947- November 10, 2017
Jerry Whittle was born on January 10, 1947 in Seneca, South Carolina, 
and passed away on November 10, 2017 surrounded by family and friends. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Delzie Cleo McGuffin Whittle 
and Ambus “Pat” Whittle; his sister, Patsy Louise Whittle; and by his 
first wife, Karin Winkle Whittle.
He is survived by his dear wife Merilynn Whittle; daughter Christina 
Ann Richardson Pedro and spouse John Pedro II; son John Bee Richardson 
and spouse Laurie Ann Lusk ; grandchildren Xavier Pedro, Giana Pedro, 
Tessa Boyle, Jonathan Richardson, and Sara Elizabeth Richardson; 
several great-grandchildren; nephews and niece Roger “Dale” Chrisley, 
Danus Chrisley, Marilyn Jane “Janie” Chrisley Davis; brother-in-law 
Miles “Smoky” Chrisley; cousins Mary Venaas, Joan Dunlap, Jimmy Powell, 
Wayne Powell, Ronnie Phillips, and many others; and the countless 
students to whom he served as a mentor and father figure.
Mr. Whittle was a proud graduate of Clemson University, where he earned 
a degree in English, and from the University of Tennessee in Knoxsville 
where he earned a master’s degree in Creative Writing. While he held 
various occupations throughout his lifetime, his passion for language 
and literacy led him to teach braille at the Louisiana Center for the 
Blind for over three decades.  He worked with over 1,000 students, 
giving them the gift of braille literacy, and taught countless teachers 
and blindness professionals that braille literacy is a key for success 
for blind children and adults.  Through his work in the National 
Federation of the Blind, Mr. Whittle was also able to transform 
countless other lives and serve in many leadership positions, both in 
Louisiana and nationally. His signature sense of humor, his willingness 
to share his life experiences, and his ability to establish genuine 
connections with people from all walks of life positioned him as an 
icon in the blind community.
Jerry loved baseball, gardening, reading, writing, and bluegrass. He 
often persuaded Merilynn to bake him cornbread or apple pie, two of his 
favorites. He was an engaging public speaker, a gifted braille teacher, 
a prolific author and playwright, a loyal friend, and a deeply faithful 
Christian. Yet, the essence of his life is only partially captured by 
these qualities. The life that Jerry Whittle led was one of sacrifice, 
service, and spirit. With his incomparable wit, and his unwavering 
devotion to the people that he loved, the influence that Jerry Whittle 
has had on this world will undoubtedly ring energetically for 
generations to come.
The writings of William Faulkner always remained close to Mr. Whittle’s 
heart. “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose 
sight of the shore.” With these words from his beloved author, we begin 
to say good-bye to our teacher, mentor, and friend. Beyond this, these 
words remind us to live with the courage and determination that Mr. 
Whittle both embodied and challenged each of us to achieve in our own lives.
Visitation is on Monday, November 13, 2017, from 5:00-7:00 pm at 
Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, Louisiana.  A second visitation and 
burial will be held in South Carolina, with visitation and services 
held at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central, South Carolina.  
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00pm on November 18th and again on 
November 19th from 1:00-2:00pm.  The funeral services will be held at 
2:00pm on November 19th. He will be buried at Memory Gardens in 
Clemson, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Buddy Program of the 
Louisiana Center for the Blind at www.louisianacenter.org.


Ken Chrane