Emma Loretta Wilhite passed away from this life peacefully, on Aug. 29, 2024, at home, surrounded by her family, after a short battle with cancer.
Loretta was born April 17, 1937, to Charles Lewis (C.L.) and Josie Hale Akins.
She married the love of her life, Bobby Wilhite, on Aug. 24, 1956, and together they raised four children.
Loretta played an important role in being a preacher’s wife and supported Bobby in every way possible. Countless people have been fed at her table, and even more have benefited from food that came from her kitchen. Loretta loved to cook, and that was only one of the ways she showed her love to her family and friends.
Loretta and Bobby enjoyed raising gardens, and their bountiful harvests were shared freely with others. While she enjoyed raising vegetables, her real love was flowers, and she often had a profusion of blooms on her porch and in her yard.
Loretta and Bobby also loved to travel the backroads, and their adventures took them to all 50 states. Some of their favorite destinations included Cades Cove, Tennessee; Callaway Gardens, Georgia; Daytona Beach, Florida; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
In addition to her parents, Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Wilhite; son, Edward Dean Wilhite; brothers, Charles Gordon Akins, Edward Akins, Robert Akins; and sister, Joyce Neal.
Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters, Beth Bell (Jim), Carol Sparks, Darla Wilhite; daughter in-law, Angie Wilhite; sisters, Betty Randolph (Clyde), Linda Akins; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends including many who considered her to be their “other mother” or “Nana.”
The family would like to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff of Gentiva Hospice for their kindness and assistance during this time.
Funeral service was 11 a.m., Sept. 3, 2024, at West Sparta church of Christ, with burial in Davis Family Cemetery, on Pleasant Hill Road. Derrick Coble and Jeff Turner officiated.
Those serving as pallbearers were Rob Sparks, Jeff Sparks, Caleb Sparks, Joshua Sparks, Ethan Bell, and Drew Haston.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tamil, India mission work directed by Don and Cathy Iverson. This work supports homes for orphans and abandoned children in India. Donations can be mailed to West Sparta church of Christ, 100 Hampton Drive, Sparta, Tennessee 38583.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
