Shelba Jean (Johnson) Whitaker

Mrs. Shelba Jean Johnson Whitaker, age 88 of Ararat, North Carolina, passed peacefully at her home, into the loving arms of Jesus, on Friday, August 29, 2025. Mrs. Whitaker was born on February 25, 1937, in Surry County to the late Harvey Franklin and Ollie Mae Johnson Johnson. In her early years, she worked in the offices of Security Life and Trust, Western Electric, and Pine State. She later became the co-owner and book keeper of Whitaker Paving and Grading Co. Shelba was a loving, humble, Christian wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to all. Despite her health, she maintained compassion, grace, kindness, and most of all, her love for family and friends. She enjoyed reading the bible, baking, cooking, decorating, fishing at the coast, taking care of her flowers, gardening, canning, crafts, crocheting, and sewing. Most of all she loved “doing for others”, especially in their time of need. She excelled in creating a gracious home and made sure everyone was fed and treated like family. Shelba was a member of Hope Fellowship Church and recently enjoyed listening to recorded music and sermons, as she was unable to attend. No matter how bad she felt, when someone called and asked how she was doing, she would always say, “I’m hanging in there!”. Surviving is her husband of 68 years, Donald E. Whitaker, daughter and son-in-law, Donna Whitaker Gough and Timothy; sons and daughter-in-law, Clark Whitaker, Chris Whitaker and Christy; five grandchildren, Seth Whitaker (Jessica Flowers), Preston Gough (Emily), Lauren Whitaker, Tyler Whitaker; two great-grandchildren, Mallory and Eva Gough; a sister, Judy Johnson Welch; a sister-in-law, Polly Johnson; a brother-in-law, Alfred Cave; along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Whitaker was preceded in death by two sisters, Archie Johnson Cox, Jackie Johnson Cave; and a brother, Edsel Johnson. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Terry Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Little Mountain Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Moody Funeral Home from 2:00 PM until the time of the service. The family extends its deepest gratitude to all of the compassionate and dedicated staff, at Home Instead, for their wonderful care over the past two years, most recently, Dee Hughes, Renee Watson, and Frances Arender.  Flowers will be accepted, or Memorials can be made to: Hope Fellowship Church c/o Terry Johnson, 223 Danley Road, Ararat, North Carolina 27007; Little Mountain Church Cemetery, 324 Little Mountain Church Road, Ararat, North Carolina 27007; Mountain Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, North Carolina 27017. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy has been entrusted with the arrangements.