Dominic Lamorris Whitaker

No matter what your trails are, or how big your mountain seems; The Lord is there to see you through; He’ll go to all extremes. So if your cross seems hard to bear, and you know not what to do; The one who loves you most of all will be there to see you through. As we retrace the footprints of Dominic Whitaker we can only give thanks for the many lives he enriched along life’s journey. A strong, humble and quite young man, he was blessed to enjoy many of God’s blessings as a son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, father, and trusted friend. Dominic began his journey of life on December 31, 1982 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, as the son of Henry and Mary Whitaker. He was a very active and talented child. He loved remote controlled cars, trains, hand operated games, video systems and music. As he grew older he retained his love for electronics, games systems and sports. Dominic was educated partly in Gresham and Portland, Oregon. He later graduated from Sparkman High School in 2001 where he excelled in both football and basketball. He won Best Offensive and Defensive player in basketball in 1997-98 and 2000-2001. He won All Conference 2000-2001, Best Free Throw 1999-2000, Best Field Goal 2000-2001, All State 2000-2001, Best 3 Point Shooter and also Outstanding Offensive Player in football. He was also a member of the Student Council, Captain of the basketball team and an FFA member. He was employed by Danfoss and was very happy with his job. He was a proud and loving father to Jamari, Ashar’ and Janae. On Sunday, July 4th, 2010, in his 27th season of life Dominic was called to his eternal home, where his grandparents Leroy and Louise Hunter welcomed him. Dominic will always be remembered in the hearts of his daughters, Jamari and Ashar’ Whitaker and Janae Carr; his loving mother, Mary Whitaker of Arkadelphia; his father, Henry Charles Whitaker of Arkadelphia; sisters, Gaysha (Andre) Adams, Candice Owens, and LaKen Whitaker all of Arkadelphia; brother, Shunn Newborn of Dallas, TX; his grandmother, Geneva Whitaker of Arkadelphia; grandfather, Charles Whitaker of Sparkman; aunts, JoAnn Colon of Little Rock, Patricia (Freddy) Nunn of Little Rock, Ruthie (Arthur) Evans of Malvern, Oleater Quarles of Sparkman, and Bobbie (Sam) Bryant of Malvern; uncles, Royal (Shirley) Hunter of Richmond, VA, Odis Hunter of Lexington, KY, Sammy (Rosalyn) Whitaker of Stafford, TX; Michael (Lori) Whitaker of Arkadelphia, Carlos (Classina) Whitaker of Peraland, TX; and Haja (Jacqueline) Newburn of Arkadelphia. He also leaves ten special aunts, Zelma Smith, Elosie Blackmon, Vergie M. Mitchell, Luvens Perr, Betty King, Amboline House, Rosie Lee Dixon, Denise Sandage, Queenie Cooks and Venitta Bullock.; several great aunts, great uncles, nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, a special, special cousin Edna Hunter Ford, and several friends. The guest registry will be open for friends and family on Friday, August 6th at 12 noon. The family with receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6-7 p.m. The last farewell and tributes to his life will be shared on Saturday, August 7th at 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., is the pastor. Rev. Thomas Brazil, the pastor of Pleasent Hill AME Church in the Joan Community will be the messenger. The committal service and final resting place will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Bearers of the casket will be Patrick Quarles, Greg Denton, Brandon Summerville, Anthony Scott, Kenny Hamlin and Roddrick Neal. Honorary bearers will be Kendall Quarles, Randal Colon, Perry McCauley, Jasper Evans, Derrick Evans, Alan Coleman, Baron Heyward, Lee House and the 2001 graduating class of Sparkman High School.