Reverend Leroy Whitfield, 78, of Calhoun, Georgia passed away on Thursday morning, December 27, 2012 at his home. Leroy was born in Gordon County on May 18, 1934, son of the late Loyd and Nellie Bearden Whitfield. Rev. Whitfield was a graduate of Red Bud High School, class of 1951. While attending high school he was a member of the Red Bud Cardinal Basketball Team and was a pitcher on the school’s fast-pitch softball team. After graduation he continued to pitch in the Gordon County Fast-Pitch Softball League. He continued his education by attending Floyd College’s School of Real-Estate and by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Rev. Whitfield entered the Gospel Ministry in 1956 while serving as a member of the Board of Deacons at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. His pastoral ministry spanned 45 years at Pleasant Valley, New Zion, Mt. Zion, Sugar Valley and South Calhoun Baptist Churches.

Leroy is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ann Stewart Whitfield; daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Tolbert Gallman and Greta and Ronnie VanDyke, all of Calhoun; a sister and brother-in-law; Bonnie and Raymond Ross of Calhoun; grandsons, Taylor Gallman and Seth VanDyke; step-grandsons, Randy Gallman and Brooks Gallman; step-granddaughters, Cindy Henderson and Tammy Moore.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Reverend Leroy Whitfield was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the South Calhoun Baptist Church with Rev. Lamar Bearden, Rev. Clifford Free and Rev. Calvin Anderson officiating. Interment followed the funeral service at Chandler Cemetery in Calhoun. Pharm Hammontree and Steve Corbin were in charge of graveside services. Billy Hamilton, Gerald Mashburn, Mitchell Greeson, Grady Burger, Chan Ross and Gene Bowen served as pallbearers. The family received friends at South Calhoun Baptist Church from 4 – 9 p.m. on Saturday evening and for one hour prior to the funeral service.

Arrangements will be announced by Independently owned Dalton Funeral Home, 620 S. Glenwood Avenue, Dalton. 706.529.5371.