Published: October 11, 2008 07:41 pm         

Joe Whatley

CARRIERE — Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 15, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. in the McDonald Funeral Home for Joe Whatley, 80, of Carriere who passed away, Saturday, October 11, 2008 in Carriere.

Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home.

The Rev. Dr. Keith Warden, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Picayune will officiate at the services, assisted by The Rev. Allen Hickman, Senior Pastor of Resurrection Life Worship Center of Picayune.

A native of Jena, La., he had served as news director of WRJW for over 40 years. Joe graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in journalism, and owned two local businesses… Commercial Printing and Whatley’s Office Supplies. He also worked in real estate… and sold many of the home sites in Diamondhead as it was being developed. He was a First Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Generations of area residents started their day listening to Joe’s smooth voice deliver the WRJW local news mornings at 7:30 a.m. Known as Joe, Your Hometown Reporter, everybody listened as Joe sent birthday and anniversary wishes… and delivered his version of local news and commentary. Everybody knew if they heard about it on Joe’s news program it was true and accurate.

Joe died just after midnight on Saturday morning with his beloved wife, Mary at his side. His daughters, Jill and Melinda also stayed by his bedside during his illness and death.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Anna Whatley Smith.

Joe served his community in many ways, including serving as president of the local chamber of commerce during the early 70’s. During his presidency, he oversaw the designing and building of the gazebo in the train park next to the chamber building… He also worked with the city to have the overhead power lines on Highway 11 put underground to help beautify the town. Joe also was the first to have the Chamber of Commerce First Saturday Trade Days, which were revived by the chamber several years ago. The Chamber of Commerce honored him in 2002 by recognizing him as the Citizen of the Year.

Joe has been truly missed, and it’s hard to accept that we will never hear his golden voice again.

Survivors include: his wife, Mary Whatley of Carriere; two daughters, Melinda Whatley Smolkin of West Hartford, Conn., and Jill Whatley Stegall of Carriere; five grandchildren, Lauren Smith of Covington, La., Chloe Smolkin of West Hartford, Conn., Allison Stegall of Carriere, Hailey Stegall of Carriere, and Jack Stegall of Carriere.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 14, 2008 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the McDonald Funeral Home

Obituary, register book, and driving instructions can be found on the internet web page at www.mcdonaldfh.com.

McDonald Funeral Home in Picayune is in charge of the arrangements.