James R. “Jim” Whitlock

Funeral services to honor Mr. Whitlock’s life will be 11:00 AM Thursday at Flat Rock Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior the service at the church.

James Robert Whitlock, 84, of Liberty, SC, son of the late William Robert and Mary Frances Summey Whitlock, passed away peacefully Monday, March 16 at St. Francis Hospital.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 59 years, Zoe Kelley Whitlock, a daughter, Kelley Whitlock Norwine and her husband, Doug, grandsons Casey and Alex Whitlock (Tyra), one great-grandson, Cooper Whitlock, sisters Ida Nix, Alta Murrell, Wanda Norton, and Frances Hamlin, a daughter-in-law, Julie Whitlock, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a son, Christopher Neill.

Known as “Big Jim,” “Jimbo” or “Papa Jim” to many, Jim was the owner/operator of Whitlock Electrical Contracting for 30 years until he retired for medical reasons in 1990. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, where he was responsible for flying with confidential documents all around the world, and was a long time member of Flat Rock Baptist Church where he served in many capacities such as Sunday school teacher, RA leader, choir member, Deacon, and Director of Training Union.

He was proud to be a member of the “Table of Knowledge” at Yank’s Place in Liberty, where he and the guys would sit, drink coffee, and solve the world’s problems. The family would like to send a special thanks to the employees and patrons of Yank’s who always took such great care of him. Jim loved to garden, and many neighbors and family members were the recipients of his handiwork. Hardly a day passed that you wouldn’t catch him watching his favorite television shows such as The Andy Griffith Show, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza. Jim grew up during a time where life was simple, friends were close, business deals were consummated with a handshake, and his family and relationship with God were everything.

Flowers will be accepted, however, the family humbly requests that donations be made to Flat Rock Baptist Church Endowment Fund, 115 Slab Bridge Road, Liberty, SC, 29657, or to Anderson University’s Johnny Mann Center for Commercial Music, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621.

The family is at the home. Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements