Mr. Benjamin Norton Whitaker “Benny” age 87 of Ellijay, GA passed Thursday August 13, 2015.

Mr. Whitaker was born September 1, 1927 in Gilmer County, son of the late Cecil and Ovaline Norton Whitaker. He was a member of the Cartecay Baptist Church, Oak Bowery Lodge #81 F&AM 50 year pin, Ellijay Lions Club and Coosawattee Shrine Club. Mr. Whitaker is also the former Commissioner for Gilmer County and former State Representative for Georgia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Ovaline Whitaker; step-mother, Bea Smith Whitaker; sisters, Betty Sue Painter and Gladys Morris; brother, Mack Whitaker; grandchildren, Dana Logan Cochran and Logan Brown.

Survivors Include: wife, Joyce Holt Whitaker, of the home; sons and daughter in-law, Tony Whitaker, of Ellijay, GA, Mitchell and Lisa Logan, Lawrenceville, GA; daughters and son in-law, Linda Wright, of Ellijay, GA, Joyce Tishaw, of Ellijay, GA, Debbie and Steve Brown, of Ellijay, GA; brother, Hayden Whitaker, of Grayson, GA; sisters, Lois Waddell, of Ellijay, GA, Charlotte Dickey, of Ellijay, GA, Hilda Bailey, of Ellijay, GA and Brenda Downs, of Snellville, GA; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday August 15th at 2pm from the Cartecay Baptist Church with Rev. James Holt and Rev. John Bramlett officiating. Interment will follow in Flinthill Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites by the Oak Bowery Lodge #81 F&AM.

The family will receive friends Friday August 14th from 3pm until 9pm at the funeral home.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the Cartecay Baptist Church Men’s Ministry at 118 Riverwood Road Ellijay, GA 30536 or to the Flint Hill Church Cemetery Fund c/o Glenda Sue Johnson at 145 Oak Leaf Lane Ellijay, GA 30540 In Memory of Mr. Whitaker.

The family request no food be brought to the funeral home.