Dewie Whitehead

Mr. Dewie Whitehead, age 97 of DeFuniak Springs passed away early Monday, November 30, 2009 in Healthmark Regional Medical Center. He was born October 6, 1912 in Geneva County, Alabama the son of James Edward Whitehead and Fannie Johnson Whitehead ; the last of the twelve siblings to die. Dewie was raised in Ponce de Leon, joing the Army in 1937 at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1938 he married Jewel Chesser a marriage that spanned over fifty years. He served his country with the U.S. Army for some 22 years, having served during World War II and retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in Huachuca, Arizona. He received the sharpshooter medal for pistol and rifle. After his military career he became manager of Culiver Motor Company in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Retiring in 1978 Dewie and Jewel returned home to DeFuniak Springs where they spent many years enjoying the company of their grandchildren, nieces and nephews and Dewie enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming. He is predeceased by his wife and his son Dewie, Jr.

Among survivors are his son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Beverly Whitehead. His daughter-in-law Jerri Whitehead, grandchildren, Rhonda Williams and husband Jon, Roxane Vismara and husband Greg, Evelyn Finley and husband Kurt, James Whitehead and Annalee Koontz and husband Mike. Great grandchildren Jessica Craig, Jenna Williams, Danuel Williams, Chanel Vismara and great great grandchildren Daniella Domingues, Refugio Domingues, Jr. and Victor Leon.

A time of visitation will be Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 3, 2009 in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with Reverend Phil McMillian officiating. Graveside services with full military honors will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.