Thomas Maryland Whitten

Tom Whitten started his life’s journey Oct 2, 1940, at their home on “Old Hatchett Ridge” in Limestone County, Alabama. His early years were spent as a sharecropper’s son picking cotton and farming. Tom attended various schools in the Limestone County area or wherever his family was living. He joined the US Army in 1957 serving two years at home and abroad.

He attended the Baptist church as a young boy where he was saved at the age of 12. Tom met the love of his life Judith Galbraith while attending Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. They were married Feb. 7, 1964, at the Mastin Lake Nazarene Church in Huntsville, Alabama where they were blessed with two sons. In 1967 they moved to Colorado Springs where Tom attended Nazarene Bible College, graduating in 1970. From there they started their ministerial journey to Hillsboro, North Dakota, their first assignment. Other pastorates included White River, South Dakota on the Rosebud Indian reservation. Other assignments include Athens, Alabama, Fargo North Dakota where he assisted in planting Southside Nazarene church. Battle Creek, Michigan, where they co-pastored Morgan Road Nazarene Church.

In 1987 they returned to Huntsville to care for Tom’s mother who was terminally ill with cancer. While their Tom assisted with the work at the Madison Nazarene church for several years. The following years were spent serving in Scottsboro, Fairview and Steele, Alabama. In 1997 Tom and Judy moved to Hazel Green, Alabama to start a New Church Plant serving until 2015. Their ministry has been blessed by several coming to know the Lord and enjoying making friends across this great country.

If there is any one word the describes Tom‘s ministry, it would be compassion. His mission was to preach the word with compassion. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and two brothers Larry and Edward.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Judith, two sons Randy (Jedonna) Rodney (Ellie), brother David (Kathy), Grandchildren, Wyatt, Beth, Jeremy, Chelsea, Brittany and Caleb. Eight great-grandchildren. Nephews David Whitten Jr, Mark Whitten, Nieces Nancy Thompson and Amy Rutkowski and a host of extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 11am to 1pm at Journey Church of the Nazarene in Huntsville.  Funeral services will follow at 1pm at the church. 

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.