James Minor Whittemore

James (Jay) Minor Whittemore, Jr., age 95, of Sun City Center, FL passed away Saturday, January, 13, 2018 surrounded by his family. A native of Alamance County, North Carolina, he was employed with the United States Postal Service as rural mail carrier for Route 1 Graham for 30 years until his retirement in 1975. During his employment he earned the Million Mile Safety Award for performance of on the job travel in excess of one million miles without an accident. A veteran of World War II, he served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1945. He was a member of the Thomas M. Holt Lodge 492, Graham, NC, and in 2015 awarded lifetime rite. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Nella M. Allred, in 1942 and together they celebrated 76 years of marriage. A loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, his wit, kindness, dependability, and perseverance were an inspiration to all who knew him. Though he relocated to Florida in 2005, he remained a loyal member and supporter of the Riverside Baptist Church in Graham, NC. He was preceded in death by his mother Pearl Winfrey Whittemore, father James Minor Whittemore, Sr., and sister Jeanne Whittemore Buff. He is survived by his wife, Nella Allred Whittemore of Sun City Center, FL, daughter Gail Whittemore-Smith and husband Thomas Vaughn Smith of Jacksonville, FL, sister Mrs. Mimi Whittemore Saunders of Graham, NC, and many special maternal and paternal nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573 with military honors. Interment will be held 9:00 AM, Friday January 22, 2018 at Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville, FL. The family extends their deepest gratitude to Priscilla Reyes, Maribel Reyes, Isabel Pantoja, and Daisy Pecina, loyal and compassionate care givers who provided constant loving care and assistance. The family also thanks the staff of Cypress Creek Assisted Living Residence and Lifepath Hospice for their excellent medical care. A special thanks is extended to Pastor Bob Stephenson and the congregation of Riverside Baptist Church, NC for their continuous prayers and support. In lieu of flowers the family requests all memorials be sent to LifePath Hospice of Hillsboro County Florida, 3010 West Azeele Street, Tampa, Florida 33609. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many acts of kindness shown to them during their time of loss.