John Preston Whitten

John Preston Whitten, 89, of Conroe, Texas passed away peacefully May 28, 2024. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 4, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Huntington First Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Dale Smith officiating. Casual dress, no ties allowed. Maroon is the theme color.

John was born April 11, 1935, in a sharecropper shanty in the middle of a cotton field in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana to the late Donna Josephine (Amos) Whitten and Pres Elam Whitten. He grew up in the St. Landry community in Louisianna and had many fond memories of his childhood there. His family moved to Texas in 1952 where he graduated from Galena Park High School. He went to work for Houston Lighting and Power Company shortly after graduation and worked there for 38 years before retiring in 1990. In 1953, he met the love of his life and on June 20, 1954, he married Linder Ruth Whitten. They were married 67 years at the time of her passing in 2022. Upon retirement, he moved to Huntington, Texas where he pursued some of his favorite hobbies. The main one was gardening, and he was known throughout the community for giving away most of the produce he raised. He also enjoyed raising muscadines, berries and playing 42. Aside from his wife, his greatest passion was his grandkids who spent many wonderful summers and holidays with him and Ruth.

He was a member of the Melrose Masonic Lodge #1294 A.F. & A.M. in Houston, Texas for 60 years. He had a servant’s heart and often served his community and church behind the scenes without others knowing, which is the way he preferred it. He was an active member of the Huntington First Baptist Church and his dearly beloved Friendship Sunday School Class.

He is survived by his two sons, Michael Whitten and wife Linda, Vernon Whitten and wife Jenny; granddaughters, Cori Cavazos, Jessica Sliter and husband Nathan, Miranda Turner and husband Zach, Sarah Hirsh and husband Allyn, Dr. Rachel Whitten, Emily Whitten and Hannah Ferrari; grandsons, Robert Whitten, Jason Whitten and wife Cassie; 11 great- grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren; sister, Elaine Hines; friends that became family, Larry and Becky Ermis, Robyn and Chad Jones, Bryan and Lori Ermis, Laura and Sam Luxton, Joann and Leonard Partida.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters, Jessi Gay Stumpner, Evelyn Whitten, Ella May Pounds; and brothers, Alvin Whitten and James Marshall Whitten.

Pallbearers will be Robert Whitten, Jason Whitten, Nathan Sliter, Allyn Hirsch, Bryan Ermis, and Zach Turner.

The Whitten family would like to thank Devotion Hospice and Mimi’s Caring Angels for the compassionate comfort and care they gave John and our family.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Friendship Sunday School Class at Huntington First Baptist Church, 702 N. Main Street, Huntington, Texas 75949, or your favorite charity.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.