Obituary of John Whitley

John Whitley was born to Reverend Arzell and Barbara Whitley Sr. on January 30, 1963. He was the fifth of seven children. John was embraced and called Thomas by friends and family. He was educated in the St. Louis Public School System. John confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at Greater St. Matthew M.B. Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Williams. During most of his adult life, he worked as a chef at Delmar Garden Nursing Home. John loved cooking; it was his love language for his family and friends. His second favorite job was landscaping. His energy was felt by everyone he was around. He loved to laugh, which was medicine to his soul, and those around him. On November 10, 2021, he was called home to meet his King, departed family members, and to be a part of that great cloud of witnesses. He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Arzell Whitley Sr.; brothers, Arzell Whitley Jr. and Michael Whitley; sisters, Gwendolyn Whitley-Landers, Jacqueline Whitley, and his son Durrell Stanley. Thomas leaves to cherish his memory, daughters, Kyesha Dean, Emily Sayles; youngest son, Kerrion Dean; six grandchildren, Martin Shelton, Joshua Thompson, Andrea Newton, Ethan Newton, Deja Stanley, and Triston Stanley; Mother, Barbara Whitley; brother, Clifton Whitley; sister, Barbara Campbell (Charles Campbell), a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends that are like family.