Vernon Lee “V.L.” Whittier, Jr., year, died Thursday, August 11, 2022, in Cullman, AL. He was born September 17, 1929, in Leesburg, FL, the son of Vernon Lee Whittier, Sr. and Cornelia Pearl (Conner) Whittier.
V.L. graduated from Vero Beach High School, Class of 1947. As a senior, he was on the football team, when they had an undefeated season and went on to win the State Championship. Following graduation, he served in the National Guard, Air Force, and the Army. After being honorably discharged as a Sergeant from the Army in 1954, he attended Florida State University, where he received his B.S. in Psychology in 1957 and later received his Juris Doctor in 1972. While at F.S.U., he joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and became the Chapter President in 1957. In 1963, V.L. married his beloved – Terrie Carol Jones. They celebrated 54 years of marriage before her passing in 2017. V.L. served in many different capacities in the Florida State Government. He was a lawyer for the Florida Department of Transportation. After a successful career, he retired in 1993.
V.L.’s family was always his top priority. As a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather, he cherished the moments he spent with them. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife: Terrie Carol (Jones) Whittier; his precious young granddaughter: Elizabeth Ann Whitesell; a brother and sister-in-law and two of their children: Dr. Robert “Bob” P.C., Marty, Kevin Whittier, and Maura (Whittier) Baughman; brother-in-law: David Berggren; his sister-in-law and her husband, and one of their daughters: Leontine, Reverend Dabney, and Diana Carr, MD.
He is survived by his son: Lee Whittier of Huntsville, AL; daughter and grandchildren: Tiffany (Rob), Jonathon, Madeline, Lillian, and David Whitesell of Cullman, AL; daughter: Tamara (John) Houle of Brooklyn, NY; sister: Peggy Berggren of Vero Beach, FL; brother: Reverend Dr. Peter (Paula) Whittier of Apopka, FL; as well and many nieces, nephews, and their children.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children’s Ministry at Cullman First Baptist Church, 501 2nd Avenue SW, Cullman, AL 35055. This is to honor his memory as well the memory of his beloved wife, with whom he taught children’s Sunday School. It is also in the memory of his beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Whitesell, who was a member of CFBC with her family.
There will be a Celebration of Life Funeral Service on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 5 p.m. with a visitation from 4 until 5p.m. There will also be a Celebration of Life Funeral Service on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Tallahassee. He will Lie in State at the Church from 1 until 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.
Moss Service Funeral Home Directing.
