SUMTER, S.C. - Mima Joy Whitaker, 77, died Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 at her home. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Sept. 12, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with Bishop Latham Harris officiating. Entombment was in Evergreen Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Born in Franklin County, she was a daughter of the late James Morris Champion and Mima Delionbach Champion. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Surviving: husband, Edsel V. Whitaker Sr.; children, Jimmy and Judy Whitaker, Ketita and James Chester, Joe Whitaker, Whit and Jean Whitaker, Peter and Tori Whitaker, Michael and Tammy Whitaker, Jan Whitaker, and Joy Whitaker; sisters, Ella Faye Futch (Ronald) and Nancy Brown; 37 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund, c/o Bishop R. Latham Harris, Sumter Ward, 103 Conyers St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter in charge of arrangements.

www.ecsfunerals.com