Donald R Whitney

Donald R. Whitney, 73, of Searcy, passed away September 19, 2018 at his residence.  He was born June 8, 1945 at Kensett to the late Robert M. Whitney and Earnestine Barkley Whitney.
He joined the church at an early age, most recently a member of Centennial Missionary Baptist Church in Kensett.  He received his education from White County Training School, graduating in 1965.  He served in the US Army from 1965-67; then he attended Tyler Barber School in Little Rock.  Later, he went to work for McGraw-Eddison in Judsonia which later became Speed Queen then Maytag which he retired from in 2006.  He was a member of the Searcy Masonic Lodge and he loved to fish, grill, and gardening when he wasn’t sitting on his front porch.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Loretta Whitney Miller.
He married Ella Burrage Whitney January 18, 1968 at Kensett; she survives.  He is also survived by two sons, Kevin L. Whitney of Searcy and Donald D. Whitney (Tracy) of Beebe; grandchildren, LaDesta Miller (Cleotis) of Rochester, New York, Brandon Jerold (Brittanie), Brittanie (Nelson), Briana, Kashalan, Tahj, Cameron, Jordan, Renetta,  Natasha, Jaylyn, Dawnesha, Deairus, and Marcelius; great grandchildren, Tavion, Caiden, Mayliah, Nathan, Ava, Londyn, Bradley, Nolan, Jakoby, Zakia, Zaylon, Zavior, Brittanie, Braylan,, and Jaxon; three brothers, Robert Whitney (Gwen) of Kansas City, Missouri, Edward Eugene Whitney of Saginaw, Michigan, and Gregory Whitney (Kimi) of Searcy; three sisters, Velta Baker, Mary Brewer, and Patty Jackson all of Kensett; three special nieces, Angela Pipkins (Carlton), Kimberly Jones (Wilford), and Tomeka Miller Richardson; as well as numerous other extended family and friends.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 28, 2018 at Sullivan Funeral Care in Kensett.  Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, at Centennial Missionary Baptist Church in Kensett with burial following at Crow Cemetery.