Jane Ella Whitson, 82, passed this life Friday, April 22, 2016 in Arbors of Mifflin Care Center after an extended illness.
Mrs. Whitson was born on Sunday, June 11, 1933 to the late Robert and Minnie (Allen) Catchings Sr., in Dundee, Mississippi and had lived in Mansfield the past 71 years. Jane enjoyed taking care of her family, cartoons, working puzzles, sewing and thrifting.
She served for more than 40 years at the side of her husband, the Reverend Willard Whitson, Sr. as one of the founding members of the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and the first lady.
Jane is survived by her dedicated husband of 50 years Rev. Willard Whitson, Sr., four children: Lizzie (Ben) Hardin, Charlene Petty, Ruby (Donnell, Sr.) Haynes, and Charles “Bo” Petty, of Mansfield; four step children: Evon Whitson, of New York, Shelia Thompson, and Victor Whitson, of Mansfield, and Michael Whitson, of Centerburg; son-in-law: George Woods, of Mansfield; step sister Acye Spencer, of Mansfield, and a truck load of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents Jane was also preceded in death by three children: Robert “Bubba” Petty, Michael Petty, and Deloris Woods, grandson Jonathan Haynes, four siblings: Frances Gage, Robert Catchings Jr. and Isaac and Kary Catchings Sr., and two step-children: Linda Whitson, and Willard Whitson Jr.
The funeral service will be held Friday, at 11 a.m. in the Oasis of Love Church with Rev. Quintin L. Respress officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in Mansfield Cemetery.
Friends are invited to leave words of comfort to the family at www.williamsfuneralservices.com.
