Tom Watson Whitsett, Sr.

07/11/1935 - 09/13/2024

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!