Brownie Whittenbarger

Brownie Whittenbarger

Willard Lynn “Brownie” Whittenbarger, age 68, of Blue Ridge, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Brownie was born to Deaner and Hazel Ledford Whittenbarger October 8, 1952, in Copperhill. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Brenda Mahan.

Brownie enjoyed fishing, watching Tennessee football, and loved Southern gospel music. He directed the choirs at Fairview Baptist Church, Kingtown Baptist Church, Lebanon Baptist Church and Bethel Church. He also directed the Singing in the Mountains Choir for 12 years. He was a member of Bethel Church and fulfilled his calling leading and singing gospel music.

He worked for many years at Tennessee Chemical Company as a boilermaker, and at the time of his death was employed as a bus driver for Mountain Area Transportation Services.

Brownie is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 37 years, Vicki Sparks Whittenbarger; his precious daughters and sons-in-law, Allison Lynn and Joshua Stover, and Emily Anne and Nolan Adams; the joy of his heart, his precious granddaughters, Ava Ryan and Aubrey Kate Adams; sister, Wanda Patterson; brother, Rusty Whittenbarger; brother-in-law, Lynn Sparks; and nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends also survive.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 2 p.m. from Bethel Church with Reverend Claude Mathis and Reverend Doug Payne officiating.

Music was provided by Jeremy Payne and Shannon Bradburn.

Interment followed at Crestlawn Cemetery. Gentlemen selected to serve as pallbearers were Rick Curtis, Jeremy Smith, Eric Jones, Todd Sparks, Barry Carver and C.J. Green. Honorary pallbearers were Chad Mason, Roger Cochran, Gary Dillard, Hoyt Carr, Tommy Hamby, James McGill, Leroy Ledford, Mike Patterson, Leroy Satterfield, Rob Bell and Wade Collins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Brownie’s memory to the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, or online at www.stjude.org.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.

Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.