Obituary for Michael Whitaker
Michael Whitaker transitioned from this life to his heavenly home on Friday, April 8, 2022 with his loving wife at his side.
Michael Whitaker was born from a marital union of Samuel Whitaker, Sr. and Rebie Mae Cotton on July 15, 1951. He was raised in Buffalo, New York and was nurtured with eleven siblings under the watchful eyes of his parents, maternal grandfather, grandmother (all deceased), a host of other close relatives and extended family. One of his siblings nicknamed him “Butchie” and the name stuck. The family talk is that in kindergarten the teacher called the roll, “Michael”, “Michael!!”, “Michael!!!” he never answered and the children laughed. The only name he knew was Butchie. That day was an eye opener for him on his amazing gift and the powerful healing of laughter which he mastered.
His formal education was through the Buffalo Public School System. Michael worked with his heart and hands for “Grassroots”, a political organization in Erie County. It was organized by block club leaders seeking attention for their neighborhood problems that grew into larger causes. In addition to government affairs, Michael was co-director of a Children and Youth Advocacy Program as well as being an accomplished commercial and residential painter and construction worker. Michael also worked at Community of Caring Homeless Shelter in Erie, PA until his health failed.
Michael’s tender “love for Jesus”, religious curiosity and excitement about Christianity was nurtured by his mother who led him to accept Jesus by faith at an early age. After his confession of faith and baptism, Michael spent years developing as a Christian in Children’s Ministry, Sunday School, Baptist Training Union (BTU), Children’s and Youth Choir at Calvary Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York under the leadership of Reverend Peter W. Trammell in the late 50’s and early 60’s. After relocating to Erie, PA, Michael joined Shiloh Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Chorus and the Kitchen Committee. During his illness, he was an active participant in the bi-weekly phone prayer line and Wednesday Bible Study, as he loved to learn the Word of God and praising Him in worship service.
Many will remember how his contagious laugh could light up a room, along with his love for family, his radiant smile, extraordinary chess master skills, trash-talking Bid Whist and Spades playing, and his classy debonair gentleman style. Michael will also be lovingly remembered for his “straight to the point and real talk” manner.
Preceding his homegoing was his father, Samuel Whitaker, Sr., his mother Rebie Whitaker and sister Romonia Whitaker, as well as nephews Antwain Bradley and Paris Stevens.
Michael leaves to honor and cherish his memory: his beloved wife of 23 years, Reverend Denise Whitaker; four children Sojourner (Kimberly) Bowen of Atlanta, GA; Africa (Eric) Otis of Gastonia, NC; Michael (Shawna) Howard of Burlington, NC; Mark Anthony (John) Whitaker of
Windsor, WI; step-daughter, Njeri (Brian) Sulla of Erie, PA and goddaughter Alyssa Avery of Erie, PA. He also leaves nine siblings – Samuel (Maxine) Whitaker, Jr. of Simpsonville, SC; Audrey (Robert) Dixie of Rochester, NY; Reverend Patricia Edwards Whitaker of Chicago, IL; Yvonne Whitaker Bradley of Buffalo, NY; Robert (Rose) Whitaker of Fayetteville, NC; Carolyn (Alfred) Mann of Myrtle Beach, SC; Deborah Bell of Buffalo, NY; Demetrius Whitaker of Buffalo, NY; Wendell (Voncile) Whitaker of Buffalo, NY; sixteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, scores of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and loyal friends.
Michael Whitaker was born from a marital union of Samuel Whitaker, Sr. and Rebie Mae Cotton on July 15, 1951. He was raised in Buffalo, New York and was nurtured with eleven siblings under the watchful eyes of his parents, maternal grandfather, grandmother (all deceased), a host of other close relatives and extended family. One of his siblings nicknamed him “Butchie” and the name stuck. The family talk is that in kindergarten the teacher called the roll, “Michael”, “Michael!!”, “Michael!!!” he never answered and the children laughed. The only name he knew was Butchie. That day was an eye opener for him on his amazing gift and the powerful healing of laughter which he mastered.
His formal education was through the Buffalo Public School System. Michael worked with his heart and hands for “Grassroots”, a political organization in Erie County. It was organized by block club leaders seeking attention for their neighborhood problems that grew into larger causes. In addition to government affairs, Michael was co-director of a Children and Youth Advocacy Program as well as being an accomplished commercial and residential painter and construction worker. Michael also worked at Community of Caring Homeless Shelter in Erie, PA until his health failed.
Michael’s tender “love for Jesus”, religious curiosity and excitement about Christianity was nurtured by his mother who led him to accept Jesus by faith at an early age. After his confession of faith and baptism, Michael spent years developing as a Christian in Children’s Ministry, Sunday School, Baptist Training Union (BTU), Children’s and Youth Choir at Calvary Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York under the leadership of Reverend Peter W. Trammell in the late 50’s and early 60’s. After relocating to Erie, PA, Michael joined Shiloh Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Chorus and the Kitchen Committee. During his illness, he was an active participant in the bi-weekly phone prayer line and Wednesday Bible Study, as he loved to learn the Word of God and praising Him in worship service.
Many will remember how his contagious laugh could light up a room, along with his love for family, his radiant smile, extraordinary chess master skills, trash-talking Bid Whist and Spades playing, and his classy debonair gentleman style. Michael will also be lovingly remembered for his “straight to the point and real talk” manner.
Preceding his homegoing was his father, Samuel Whitaker, Sr., his mother Rebie Whitaker and sister Romonia Whitaker, as well as nephews Antwain Bradley and Paris Stevens.
Michael leaves to honor and cherish his memory: his beloved wife of 23 years, Reverend Denise Whitaker; four children Sojourner (Kimberly) Bowen of Atlanta, GA; Africa (Eric) Otis of Gastonia, NC; Michael (Shawna) Howard of Burlington, NC; Mark Anthony (John) Whitaker of
Windsor, WI; step-daughter, Njeri (Brian) Sulla of Erie, PA and goddaughter Alyssa Avery of Erie, PA. He also leaves nine siblings – Samuel (Maxine) Whitaker, Jr. of Simpsonville, SC; Audrey (Robert) Dixie of Rochester, NY; Reverend Patricia Edwards Whitaker of Chicago, IL; Yvonne Whitaker Bradley of Buffalo, NY; Robert (Rose) Whitaker of Fayetteville, NC; Carolyn (Alfred) Mann of Myrtle Beach, SC; Deborah Bell of Buffalo, NY; Demetrius Whitaker of Buffalo, NY; Wendell (Voncile) Whitaker of Buffalo, NY; sixteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, scores of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and loyal friends.