Joseph Ronald Whitten, Sr. 82, of 912 West Ave, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Brian Center of Eden. 

A funeral service will be held at 3:00pm on August 1, 2017 at Emmanuel Baptist Church.  Interment will follow the service in Dan View Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the National Guard.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (2-3pm) and other times at the residence.

Mr. Whitten was born in Rockingham County on April 11, 1935 to the late George and Ada Martin Whitten.  He retired in 1997 from Karastan Rug Mill as a Weaver.  Joseph was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.  He was instrumental in the Awana Club of Emmanuel Baptist Church.  Joseph was proud that he served for 10 years in The National Guard.  He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia Howlett Whitten of the home; daughter, Rudine Gillie and husband, Miles of Wake Forest; son, Joseph Whitten, Jr. and wife, Amy of Fort Mill, SC; grandchildren, Joel Gillie, Joshua Gillie, Sarah Gillie, Daniel Gillie, Courtney Whitten and Chris Whitten; and his brother, John Whitten and wife, Linda of Eden and sister-in-law, Nancy Whitten of Eden.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his brother, George Whitten, Jr. and his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Irvin Warren.

At the families request, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Whitten’s memory to Camp Fund of Emmanuel Baptist Church; 1151 Virginia Street, Eden, NC  27288.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com