Joy F. Whitaker

Joy F. Whitaker, 91 of Columbus Georgia died Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Spring Harbor of Green Island.

A graveside service will be held 12:00 PM EST Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Opelika City Cemetery in Opelika, AL. The family will receive friends from 5:00-6:00 PM Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907.

Mrs. Whitaker was born Joy Ann Furcron, January 15, 1931 in Birmingham, AL, daughter of the late beloved John George Furcron and Bessie Caroline Yessick Furcron. She attended the University of Alabama prior to joining a major Utility Company in the Accounting Department. Upon his return from the Korean War In 1953, Joy was swept off her feet by Wilson Bradley Whitaker, Jr., (who she met on a blind date). After marriage, at the age of 21, Joy & Brad, age 23, made their first move as a married couple to Miami Florida to begin their life together. Joy was a consummate lady, a devoted wife and became a cherished mother to Wilson Bradley Whitaker, III (Butch), while a Florida resident. Their journeys would take them to Dallas, TX and then on to Chicago, IL where their daughter Carol was born. In 1968 they moved once again to Atlanta, GA and again in 1971 to San Francisco, CA. During these moves, Joy very lovingly coordinated the children, all the details of each move and Brad’s work obligations that would take them both to far off places. However, prior to these moves, she would hold down the fort while Brad travelled on business during the greatest of all time snow storms that dropped a whopping 23 inches of snow in and around Chicago in January of 1967. With baby Carol in hand and young Butch, they survived snow that nearly covered the entire front door of the house and prevented any travel outside the home for days. Their final move, prior to retirement, would take them back to Chicago, IL from CA. In each of these locations, Joy made many friends, enjoyed bridge clubs, garden clubs, playing tennis and golf and volunteering at various non-profit organizations, while also keeping the children active in various athletics and extracurricular activities. Additionally, she was not only known as a considerate, welcoming and loving soul to all who knew her, but also a great hostess of dinner parties and a beloved mother and wife.

Joy and Brad would ultimately retire in Smiths Station, AL after building a home on the water where Joy would be a gracious hostess to family, friends and anyone who stopped by. While in Smith Station, they would buy a small farm and fulfill a long-time dream of Joy’s by opening an antique store, that she would eventually name, The Happy Trading Post. Joy did all acquisition of the antiques, all merchandising in the store and ran the entire business while also rehabbing the farmhouse. Their last move would be to Spring Harbor of Green Island as a “Founding Resident”. Her service to her community, her faith, her friends and her unwavering devotion to her family will be cherished always.

She joins her loving husband Brad (married 63 years), her brother-in-law and sister-in- law Manuel and Martha Ann Elizondo, all who preceded her in death.

Survivors include son, Wilson B. Whitaker, III (Toika) of Phenix City, AL, daughter, Carol Molski (Doug) of Frankfort, IL, granddaughter, Lyndsay Whitaker (Alex and great grandson Hagan) of Monroe, GA, grandson Brandon Kullmann of Phenix City, AL, nephew, Michael Elizondo (Margaret) of Westwood, MA and their children, Max (Cecily), Mason (Rachel), and Eve. Joy’s grace, poise and loving manner through years of progressive dementia was a testament to her true strength. Her presence here with us will be missed beyond words.

In loving memory and in lieu of flowers, the family sincerely appreciates all memorial donations made to the Alzheimer's Association5156 River Road, Suite M, Columbus, GA 31904.