Ruth Goodloe Levi Whitaker Obituary

Ruth Goodloe Levi Whitaker, 94 Passed away March 30, 2015 at UK Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington after a lengthy illness. Beloved mother and mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Born July 23, 1920, the younger of two daughters of Homer Morton and Elizabeth Wiglesworth Levi. Homemaker and farmer, widow of Raymond Benjamin Whitaker to whom she was married for 55 years. Graduate of Connersville High School and attended Georgetown College where she was a member of Lambda Chi Sorority. Oldest living member of the Berry United Methodist Church where she was active for 60 years, serving in various roles, most notably as Secretary of the Sunday School for nearly 50 years. Honored by the Kentucky House of Representatives on her 90th birthday as "an esteemed lady and for a life lived to the fullest and for the vitality of spirit which has brought her thus far." At the same time also named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Steven Beshear. Survived by four children: Donald R. Whitaker (Sue), Muncie, IN; Kenneth L. Whitaker (Helen), Cynthiana, KY; Marilyn Whitaker Huffman (Bryson Maynard), Cynthiana, KY; Darrell K. Whitaker (Melody), Berry, KY. Also survived by seven grandchildren: Michele Gaunce (Michael), Cynthiana; Susan Curtis, Cynthiana; Chad Whitaker, Cynthiana; Ginny Huffman, Berry; Charles Huffman, Berry; Summer Whitaker, Cynthiana; Zackery Whitaker, Berry. Also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Ashley Daniel (Paul), Winchester, KY; Erin Gaunce, Cynthiana; Andrew Curtis, Cynthiana; Joshua Curtis, Cynthiana; Jonathan Gaunce (Vonda), Cynthiana; Whitney Whitaker, Cynthiana; Eli Marsh, Berry; Loghan Lou-Ruth Whitaker, Cynthiana; Sadie Elizabeth, Cynthiana. Also survived by one great-great granddaughter, Adalyn Gaunce, Cynthiana. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister, Helen Levi Gray, and one grandson, James Ethan Huffman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Berry United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 29, Berry, KY 41003 or to the Raymond and Ruth Whitaker Endowed Scholarship Fund, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475. The family extends special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at UK Good Samaritan Hospital, Lexington and Dover Manor for the care provided to mother during her illness. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday at Berry United Methodist Church by Rev. Don Fryman. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at Ware Funeral Home and 1:00 P.M. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Pythian Grove Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chad Whitaker, Charles Huffman, Zackery Whitaker, Mike Gaunce, Paul Daniel and Larry Gray. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-granddaughter