Dawn Whitaker

Dawn Virginia Velma Cumbee Ellis Whitaker

Keysville, GA  –         After a long, hard-fought battle with lung cancer, Dawn Virginia Velma Cumbee Ellis Whitaker, 52, loving wife of Grady “Carl” Whitaker, entered into her eternal rest Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at her residence. Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 P.M., Sunday afternoon, January 5, 2020, with Brother Tate Wagner officiating. Interment will follow in the Stapleton Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

One of three children born to Connie Williams Cumbee Moss and the late John Allen Cumbee Jr., Dawn was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, attending school in Wrens until she married and started her family. For many years, she worked as a cashier at Jack’s and at the Jet in Matthews, and was the assistant manager of the Max Way in Wrens. Dawn accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and served Him at South Haven Baptist Church in Hephzibah. She did enjoy fishing, but her favorite pastime was shopping.  Dawn had a big heart and kind spirit and was described as being a “little rowdy and fun-loving”.  She loved her family unconditionally and with all her heart. God answered her prayer to see her granddaughter born and to have one last Christmas with her family. Dawn bravely endured much pain and suffering, especially in the last few months, and found much solace in listening to southern gospel music. She now has a perfect, new body in her eternal home where she is experiencing God’s glory.

Other survivors include her two children, Mark Ellis (Amanda) and Brittany Sanchez; two siblings, Debra Utley (Rodney) and John “Buster” Cumbee (Tiffany); three grandchildren, Dallas Ellis, Jayden Ellis and Sofia Sanchez; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be John Cumbee Jr., Chris James, Jesse Perkins, Jaime Sanchez, Victor Utley and Ricky Williams

Because of the financial burden caused by her extended illness, the family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made directly to James Funeral Home, P.O. Box 588, Wrens GA 30833.

The family will receive at James Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Saturday evening, January 4, 2020.

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To Those Whom I Love

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that I have had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It is only for a while that we must part
So cherish the memories in your heart.

I will not be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can not see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear.

Then, when you must come this way alone,
I will greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".
Mary Alice Ramish