Tollie "T.W." Whittington

Tollie William Whittington, Jr., 86 of Perkinston passed away Saturday in Wiggins. Now you very likely do not recognize that name, so let's say it this way: T. W. Whittington went home to heaven February 18th, 2023, from Stone County Nursing & Rehab, with his wife Liz by his side. He was born July 26, 1936, in Terry, MS, the sixth of twelve children to Tollie William, Sr. and Mattie Nancy (Richardson) Whittington. T.W. grew up in and around the Terry and Byram area, where his family did farm work, and boy did they work. They were usually up before sunrise every morning, and ready for some rest by sundown. They grew and picked corn, cotton and more, plus had a few animals to tend and care for as well. He was always outside, plowing with mules at first, but later with a tractor too. He seemed to like plowing more than anything else, and that may very well be where he gained the nickname "Plowboy". T.W. worked at a local service station while attending Terry schools, and joined the US Army where serving as a cook. That fit him pretty good, since his mother made sure the girls knew all the boy's chores, and the boys knew all the girl's stuff as well. After his honorable discharge, T.W. drove trucks for a while before going to work for Deviney Construction. He made a career there, leading his own crew for many years. Somewhere along the way, Elizabeth Holiday caught his eye and stole his heart. They dated and were married for the past fifty-some-odd years. After his retirement from Deviney, T.W. was not one to sit still, so he went to work for Stone County Road Dept. for a few years. On top of that, he kept his goats, chickens, and turkeys, plus started growing greens. He became well-known as the "Turnip Man", sitting out by Hwy 49 in Perk selling bunches of greens. Of course you might trade him for a bunch or two as well, since he was always looking for a good deal. He is remembered as a loving, devoted, hard-working family man, a Christian by faith and member at Berean Baptist Church. T.W. had a great sense of humor and absolutely loved to laugh. He enjoyed working since that's how he was brought up, and to relax...well he worked then too. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed coon hunting, which he did for several years. Without any doubt though, he loved and enjoyed his family, especially all his grandchildren, of which him and Jager spent lots of time together. Probably most everyone has some fond memories of T.W., and there's plenty more than the few mentioned here, like his daily glass of cornbread and milk. Cherish those and as you reflect on them, it won't be long until you find yourself smiling...which is exactly what T.W. would have wanted! He will be forever missed by all whose life he touched. T.W. was preceded by his parents, Tollie, Sr. and Mattie Whittington; his daughter Jackie Nye, and nine of his eleven siblings: sisters Pauline and Betty Lou Whittington, Fredia Robinson, Jackie Thornton, Ruth Tucker, Deloris Ferguson, and Mary Ann Alford, with brothers Roy and Pete Whittington. Left to cherish his memories are: his loving wife of 55 years, Elizabeth; one son, Don of Kiln, and his remaining siblings, a sister Ann (Everett) Gipson of Vicksburg and his brother Gordon (Alice) Whittington of Walnut Grove. T.W. leaves a legacy of two grandchildren: Austin (Laura) Nye of Saucier, and Ashtin (Matt) Parker of Wiggins, with ten great-grands: Jayden, Jonathon, Chase, Mackenzie, Raelynn, Harlow, Trent, Jager, Bo, and Karstin, along with numerous extended family, friends, and co-workers far and wide. T.W. had his final wishes established, donating himself to science. His family is honoring those wishes, and set a celebration of his life for Saturday, February 25 at Berean Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM, followed by the service at 2:00 PM, with Bro. Lance Pearson and T.W.'s nephew, Bro. Gerald Whittington, officiating. Everyone who knew him are encouraged to come reminisce and share memories with the family, and if you're lucky, there may even be cornbread and milk to enjoy in T.W.'s honor. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Whittington family in there time of need and asks that you rememeber Ms. Liz and the rest of your family in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.