Shipps Funeral Home, Inc. | Sylvester, GA

Obituary For Tom Watson Whitsett, Sr.

The funeral services for the late Mr. Tom Whitsett, Sr., who departed this life on Friday, September 13, 2024, will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. from the Greater St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Ashburn, Georgia. Reverend Melvin Whitsett will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Hatley, Georgia. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the Shipp's Funeral Home Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on this site's Home Page.

Mr. Tom Watson Whitsett, Sr. was born in Crisp County, GA in the Hatley Community to the late Mr. And Mrs. Bryant and Rosie Lee Cross Whitsett. He was known by his family and close friends as “Tom” or “Tom-Cat” to his immediate family; because he loved to fish and in particular, fish for “catfish”.

Tom’s family moved him from Crisp County to Turner County, Georgia when Tom was 5 years old. He graduated from Eureka High School in 1955. After graduation from high school, Tom joined the United States Army, and after one term in the Army, he attended Albany State College in Albany, Georgia. In high school, the Army and college, Tom traveled extensively competing in different athletic events.

Tom settled back in Ashburn, Georgia, where he became a respected staple of the community. He played minor league baseball, and competed on the basketball court until he was “well” up in years. He worked on various jobs and ended up joining the Turner County Sheriff’s Department, from which he retired after twenty years of service. He placed his membership at Providence Baptist Church, Ashburn, GA. At the age of 43, Tom was joined in Holy Matrimony to Ms. Carol Ann Hobbs, for which he displayed her to be “the love of his life”. To that union a son was born, Tom Whitsett, Jr. Tom, Sr. grew up loving animals and even was a hog farmer for years.

Because of the distance from his home and the local school, Tom’s mother Rosa did not allow Tom to attend school until he was seven years old; big enough to keep up with the other children. In his formative years, Tom was very athletic. In his high school year and college years, he was a force to be reckoned with, “fast and sharp”. He “lettered” in three sports: track, basketball, and football. When he joined the Army, he represented the Army by competing for the Army against rival teams.

He once told me (his son Melvin) that he had tried out with three different professional sports teams and one offered him a minor league position. He even told me that he once had an audition with the Manhattan singing group in Ohio. To me, that was a “WOW”.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Simone Rodgers, and five other siblings, Robert Whitsett (“R.B.”), Jack Whitsett (“Son”), Ernestine Murray (“Teen”), Katie Mae Baker (“Kate”), and Bryant Whitsett, Jr. (died as infant).

He leaves behind seven children, Angie Watkins (David) of Denver, CO; Melvin F. Whitsett (Linda) of Tifton GA; Maxine Romer (Ron) of Miami, FL, Rodney Hillman (Derenne), Rachel Whitsett, Tom Whitsett, Jr., all of Ashburn, GA, Vonda Burkes (Willie) of Albany, GA; three that were taken unto him as daughters, Cassandra Thomas (Nathan), Shantate Taylor, Cintoya Carter; two nieces, Audrey Parker (Marvin) of Boerne, TX, (father Robert Whitsett), Suzanne “Sue” Walker of Miami, FL (father Jack Whitsett); four nephews; Walter Bryant Whitsett of Houston, TX (father Robert Whitsett), Bobby Ray Walker of Albany, GA, Jack Carlton Whitsett, Tony Dale Whitsett, both of Cleveland, OH (All three father Jack Whitsett); the Westbrook Family of Crisp County, GA, the Cross Family of Ashburn and Vienna, GA.; a host of loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, friends, and acquaintances.

Tom Whitsett was a beloved neighbor, an accomplished sojourner. His athletic accomplishments afforded him the privilege to be honored with the local park named after him: The “Tom Whitsett Park”. He will be missed!

Guest Book

My condolences to you, Ms. Romer and family. Praying for Mr. Tom Watson Whitsett, Sr. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Mrs. M. Bedoya

- na

Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your loss. Warmest Regards, Ms. Felicia Montgomery

- na

Condolences and prayers to the family in and during these days and afterwards, God's blessings The Outley-Brown Family

- na

Our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Tom Whitsett. Praying for the Whitsett family! Calvin, Jessica & Riley Smith

- Jessica

Sending heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family. May God give you peace and comfort in the moment of your loss F. Covin Thomas

- na

May god give the family strength each and every day from the the loss god bless Daisy &family Durham,nc

- na

If there's a basketball court in Heaven, I know Tom is playing a game. Michael Dye

- na

I send my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers in this time of need 🙏🏽 Charmane

- na

Our condolences to the family. Please allow GOD to give you peace in this time of need. Jerome and Tonda Williams

- na

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. May God bless you with strength and understanding.❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

- na

My condolences to the family. May God give you all peace and comfort. With Love Lynette, Miami, FL

- na

Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of bereavement 🙏🏿🙏🏿

- na

There's not enough to be said about Mr. Tom. He was an amazing man. My husband Willie Rainey would always check on him and he would occasionally come by the house to chat. Tom was like a father to me.Tom helped me during my earlier years even when we went through the police academy together in 1981, and we also played City league baseball together.Tom didn't like the way my ball was thrown to him at first base but he always said that I really could play the game. R I P my friend and I hope we get a chance to see each other again on the other side. Our sincere condolences goes out to the family. He lived a full life, leaving a lot of good memories to all who knew him. Willie and Sherry Rainey

- na

Keeping your family in my Prayers.

- na

Keeping you in our prayers we love you 💜💜💜💜 - Vail Family

- na

Sorry for you loss. May God strengthen you and keep you strong.Praying for the family.Pastor Bartell and Sis. Janie and family.

- na

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this great man!!!🙏🙏🙏

- na

Sorry for loss of a good man he was well known in our home town of ashburn ga

- na

We pray god continue to watch over this family, From the Spikes Family we are sending our deepest sympathies and condolences to you all. May god give the family and comfort that you in This time of need..

- na

Sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and the family.🙏

- na

Vonda, Karla, Nathan, Michael and I send our love and sympathy. Our prayers are with you. With our love, Your Tifton Family.

- na

With Deepest Sympathy and Prayers for the Family🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️I Love Y'all

- na

Condolence to the whitsett family Charles Leary

- na

Praying for the family. BEACTRICE LAWSON,JOAN Mitchell,Lezett Stafford, Helen White. Houston Texas

- na

Rest on. You will definitely be missed. Tonya Brown and Family.

- na

With heartfelt sympathy to the family of Tom Whitsett. May GOD give you comfort and peace in the lose of your love one. Margie A Leonard

- na

I am deeply sorry for your loss. Please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Aadrain Dawsey

- na

-

Growing up in Ashburn, Georgia as a little boy this was one of my first role model. We often have seen law enforcement of the other race on TV and in person he was first black law enforcement officer. I seen a new growing up that was something very special little boy or boys in a small town it just proved to us that one day we could grow up and become something special and make a difference to so I give my condolences to the family to my cousin Vonda and all of her siblings. Pray for comfort and peace for you all and the Lord will, I will be there Saturday in support of you all couple of years ago I lost my dad Clark Shipman better know To everybody as Judy and all the time I was growing up i never knew they were best friends RIP Great man! Ashburn Ga has lost another Giant in its community Prayerfully Cal Stewart!

- na

We love you Cousin Tom and we're going to definitely miss you. Ruth Westbrook and family. Norris and Gloria Westbrook Mathis.

- na

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Shipps Funeral Home, Inc. | Sylvester, GA