Etholene Ramsey Whitlow

Etholene Ramsey Whitlow, age 98 of Rocky Mount died Saturday, May 30, 2009. She was born August 6, 1910 a daughter of the late Benjamin F. and Lillie Hodges Ramsey. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Homer Patterson Whitlow; sons, Benjamin Homer Whitlow, Draper Ramsey Whitlow; and sister and brother-in-law, Jewell R. and Clyde Smith. Mrs. Whitlow was an elementary school teacher and principal in Franklin County Schools for many years. She was an active member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Sydnorsville where she served as Sunday School teacher and youth leader. Mrs. Whitlow moved to Roanoke in 1978 where she volunteered at Roanoke Memorial Hospital and became active in the South Roanoke United Methodist Church. In her later years she was a member of the Georgetown United Methodist Church in Georgetown, GA where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law. Among her numerous achievements, in 1986 she was the recipient of Ferrum College’s highest alumni honor, the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion, for her total commitment to service for others. In her spare time she was an avid artist and painted many beautiful oil canvases. At her death, Mrs. Whitlow resided in High Point, NC with her son. Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Berger M. and Millie Whitlow of High Point, NC; daughter and son-in-law, Sue W. and Dr. W.E. Swinson, Jr. of Jefferson, GA; grandchildren, Michael Bailey, John Bailey, Timothy Whitlow, Bradford Whitlow, Angelika Shipp, Yvonne Griffin, Rebecca Templeman, Dr. Robert A. Burgess, Wanda Whitlow; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted from Franklin Memorial Park 3 p.m. Monday with Rev. Mark Deane officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that memorial donations be made to Ferrum College, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, Virginia 24088. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.