Dr. Von Frances Best Whitaker, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and community servant, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and love. She was born in New Bern, North Carolina, on January 18, 1950, to Cleveland and Lillie Best. Von's journey began in New Bern, but she moved to Long Island, New York, with her parents in second grade, where she continued her education
and began laying the foundation for her impactful life.

At the age of 12 she was baptized at the Mount of Olives Seventh Day Adventist Church in Brooklyn, New York. She was an active Sabbath School member, and she was also active in the Missionary Volunteers program, today known as AYS. In her early years, she played the organ for special programs in church. Von's faith was a guiding force throughout her life, inspiring her to serve others with grace and compassion. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Andrew and Frances Barrett Bryant, paternal grandparents, Willie and Delilah Best, beloved parents, several aunts and uncles, and her granddaughter, Ava Lily Whitaker, whose memory will forever be cherished.

Von developed a passion for nursing at an early age, becoming a candy striper at the local hospital. After graduating from high school in Long Island in 1968, she went on to pursue her college education at Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) in Takoma Park, Maryland, where she graduated in 1972. Her academic journey did not stop there. Driven by the promise she made to her mother—influenced by her mother’s experiences during the Great Depression and World War II—she continued her education, earning a Master of Science degree in Community Health Nursing from the University of Maryland in 1974.

Von's commitment to education led her to teach at Howard University College of Nursing in Washington, D.C., and Coppin State College in Baltimore, MD. She furthered her studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a Master of Science in Psychology in 1980 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social
Psychology in 1983. She was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau National Society of Nursing in 1980 and received numerous honors and awards throughout her academic career.

Her professional journey took her across the country and internationally, where she held various esteemed positions. She served as a professor at the University of Missouri- Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing, the University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio, and as Assistant Dean at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s School of Nursing. She along with a colleague from John Hopkins were the primary investigators of a $2.3 million National Institutes of Health grant. Von’s work was also recognized internationally, as she presented in places such as St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Spain, China, and Israel. Additionally, she was a panel member for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she helped develop clinical guidelines for managing functional impairment due to cataracts.

In addition to her teaching and academic accomplishments, Von was honored with numerous accolades, including being a Competent Toastmaster, an inductee into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and an inductee into the Great 100, Inc., North Carolina Registered Nurses. She earned recognition for her commitment to both nursing and community service, impacting countless lives through her work as a researcher, professor, and public servant.

Von leaves behind her loving husband, Dr. Roy Whitaker Jr., her son Attorney Roy Whitaker III (Dr. Latoya Whitaker) of Pearland, TX, and her cherished grandson, Roy Whitaker IV. She is also survived by her double first cousins, Gorgonia Best, Diane Best Bailey (Pastor Larry Bailey), and Alonzo A. Best, Jr., along with special first cousins Alfreda Collins, Von Bailey (Collins), and a host of relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.

As we remember Dr. Von Frances Best Whitaker, we celebrate a life well-lived—one that was devoted to family, education, and the betterment of her community. Her enduring spirit will continue to inspire all those who were fortunate to know her. Her legacy of love, service, and dedication will remain in the hearts of many.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025 12pm New Light Missionary Baptist Church 1105 Willow Road Greensboro, North Carolina. Visitation 11:30am. Burial will follow at Westminster Gardens 3601 Whitehurst Road Greensboro, North Carolina.

Live stream; www.nlmbc.com New Light Missionary Baptist Church facebook page or New Light Missionary Baptist Church YouTube page