Jerry Whigham

Jerry Wayne Whigham passed away April 9, 2025, following a three-month battle against cancer. He was born on May 11, 1951, in Wallace, NC, the second of five children of Joseph Neal ("Joe") Whigham and Myrtice Dempsey Whigham.

Jerry attended Briarcliff High School in Atlanta, where he ran track and cross country. He held degrees from Mercer University and Georgia Tech, as well as advanced degrees from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and Mercer. Jerry loved the Lord Jesus Christ and loved people. He had an inquisitive mind and was a lifelong learner with an extraordinary gift of teaching and a heart for serving others. He loved languages, history, archeology, and genealogies. He read biblical Greek and Hebrew.

After two decades working alongside his father in a family business, Jerry began his second half career as a Gwinnett County schoolteacher, primarily in kindergarten and second grade. After retiring from Corley Elementary School in 2021, Jerry continued in the job he loved, serving as a long-term substitute at Corley and Alford. He worked in the produce department of Publix on weekends.

Jerry was also a gifted gardener, able to transform an ordinary yard into a welcoming environment of bulbs and flowering bushes and garden paths. He loved to draw, and he often illustrated his lessons, as well as a children's book, I Know a Girl Who Had a Dream, written by his Corley co-worker Tilisa Gibson.

In April 2023, Jerry and his wife Karyn had the opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of visiting the land of Israel. They celebrated their 40th anniversary with friends on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, worshiping the Lord on a Sunday morning as the sun rose over the horizon.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 42 years, Karyn Mozley Whigham; brothers and sister Keith Whigham, Danny Whigham (Anita), Mary Whigham, and Carl Whigham; nephews Jody Whigham, Daniel Whigham, and Neal Whigham (Erin); and great-nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 22nd, from 6-8 PM at A.S. Turner & Sons, 2773 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd, at Decatur City Cemetery, 229 Bell St Decatur, GA 30030, with Rev. Dennis J. Mock officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bible Training Centre for Pastors, 3030 Royal Boulevard South, Suite 125, Alpharetta, GA 30022. www.bibletraining.com