MILTON DOUGLAS (SR) WHATLEY

Milton Douglas Whatley, Sr. (MD) was born on February 4th, 1944 in Newnan, Georgia. He was the 4th of 5 siblings and 3rd son of Rev. John and Mattie J. Whatley. Milton received his early education in the Newnan public school system. He was 15 when the family relocated to Columbus, Ohio in 1959.  . After battling many health difficulties, Milton received his wings on December 9th, 2019 at Grant Medical Center. Milton was thrown into manhood because the family was only in Columbus a month before Rev. John Whatley went on to Glory.  Milton put a note in his Dad’s hand and promised to take care of his Mother Mattie and baby sister Sharon. That was a huge responsibility for such a young man.  He joined Ebenezer Baptist Church and even became a Minister! As life goes on, at the age of 17 Milton met and eloped with Diane Arnold. From that union was born a son, Milton Douglas Whatley, Jr. and adopted son Fredrick Arnold.  His new family decided to move to California but was trapped in Scott Bluff Nebraska because of a car accident where Freddy had to be hospitalized for an extended period of time. 

Growing up Milton had learned his trade in construction and became a brick mason.  Living in Nebraska gave him the opportunity to apply what he had learned in construction so he start his own company and because a young entrepreneur.  Milton never forgot where he came from and employed several of his family members to learn and grow beside him.  MD was a man that took advantage of every opportunity and lived his life to its fullest, always with a smile.

There were a few things Milton loved, his sons, his big sister Myra, his grand children, all his nieces and nephews, pretty women, smoking his cigarettes, drinking Mountain Dew and fishing.  He and Myra loved catching those little bluegills. Milton had a good spirit and he will be missed. 

Milton was preceded in death by his parents Mattie and John Whatley, two brothers Johnny and Delano, brother-in-law Joseph M. Jackson, and sister-in-law Alice Whatley.  He leaves to cherish his memory sisters Myra Jackson and Sharon Brown, sons Frederick Arnold and Milton Douglas Whatley, Jr., wife Diane Whatley and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.  Milton will sure be missed especially by Myra but we know he’s in a better place.  REST NOW until we meet again!

His celebration of life will be December 20, 2019 at Big Walnut Park, 5000 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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