Elkin On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, Arvil James "Frog" Whitaker went to meet his Lord after an extended illness. He was born on March 2, 1917 to the late James Elbert and Mamie Clementine Whitaker of Surry County. Arvil or "Frog", as he was known by his friends, was a mechanic all his life and retired after 29 years of service with the NC Department of Transportation. His love of hunting and fishing took him up many hills and hollows and down to lots of creeks, river, ponds and the ocean. He was a member of Victory Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and a sister. Arvil is survived by his wife of 59 years Milner Brown Whitaker which was his hunting and fishing partner and best friend. Also surviving are two sons, Allen Whitaker and wife Peggy of Elkin, Garry Whitaker and wife Kathy of Jonesville; two daughters, Gilda Pruitt and husband David, Arvilene "Cricket" Gilliam and husband Todd all of Jonesville; a brother, Darrell Whitaker and wife Judy of Elkin; grandchildren and spouses, Roger and Melanie Cook, Kim and Jason Myers, Melissa and Phillip Whitely, Joshua Whitaker, Chris Whitaker and Tonya Beard; Arvil had eleven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. David Harvey and Rev. Roger Hensley. Burial will follow at Victory Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin. The family will accept flowers or memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mt. Airy, NC 27030. Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin is serving the Whitaker family.
