Herbert Allen ‘Brother’ Whitener Jr.

Herbert Allen "Brother" Whitener Jr., 62, a resident of Decatur, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in a Dalton, Georgia, hospital.

He was born on Sept. 15, 1960, to the late Herbert Whitener Sr. and Bessie Mae Rogers Whitener in Birchwood. His daughter, Misty Whitener; and his brother, Halbert Whitener, also preceded him in death.

In 1977, he met Diane Judd who would become his wife in 1978. He was a lifelong logger who prided himself on hard work, helping others and supporting his family. He had been the owner/operator of Whitener Pulpwood and Logging since 1986. He was a tough man with a kind heart. His greatest joys were his son and his granddaughter, who he loved to watch play sports.

Herbert is survived by his wife of over 44 years, Diane Whitener; his son, Dusty (Sara) Whitener of Cleveland; his granddaughter, Harper Whitener; his sisters, Wilma (Danny) Vick, Betty Vandergriff and Frieda (Jeff) Moses; his brother, Claude Whitener; special friend, Junior Hill; lifelong friend, Zendall Cofer; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A Remembrance of Life service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Jim Rush Funeral Home and Cremation Services, North Ocoee Chapel, with the Rev. Mike Exline officiating. Special music will be provided by Ricky Campbell.

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday in McClanahan Cemetery with Junior Hill, Zendall Cofer, Gene Delk, Alfred Odister, Jeff Hill and Dan Townsend serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be John Sneed and Guy Ingham.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like for donations to be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

You may share your condolences and memories with the Whitener family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.