Thomas Whitten

Thomas Patterson “Tom” Whitten, 83, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on August 9, 1943, Tom lived a full and vibrant life anchored by family, service to others, and an incurable devotion to University of Virginia football—a pursuit that required both boundless optimism and an exceptional sense of humor.

Tom graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1961 and went on to graduate from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1967. As the longtime President of Whitten Funeral Homes, Tom guided countless families through their most difficult days with grace, deep empathy, and steady reassurance. His career reflected his fundamental nature: a sincere, instinctual desire to help people.

Outside of work, Tom was happiest on the fairway, in the stands at sports events, walking his dogs and surrounded by his friends and family. As a founding member of Secession Golf Club, he loved hitting the links and telling jokes to a captive audience. A master storyteller and joke teller, Tom brightened every room with his good humor, a well-aged Scotch, and genuine warmth.

Tom was preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah Whitten; his parents, Wilbur C. and Louise P. Whitten; his brother, Wilbur C. Whitten, Jr.; and his sister, Mary Lynn Whitten.

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Gifford Whitten; his children, Elizabeth Whitten Jones (Bradley), Laura C. Whitten, and Thomas P. Whitten, Jr. (Allison); and his step-children, Julia Sanford, Richard Deaner (Kara), and Kathryn Holdt. He was the proud grandfather of Anne and Catherine Jones, Caroline and Thomas Whitten III, and step-grandfather to George, Charles, John and Kathryn Sanford; Lucy Holdt; Isabella, Adam and Ally Deaner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 11, 2026, at St. Peter’s Historic Catholic Church in Beaufort, South Carolina, with interment directly following. The family will receive friends at a reception after the interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund of Secession Golf Club, c/o Rick Rhoden, Rhoden CPA Firm, 808 Greene St., Suite 201, Augusta, GA 30901 or St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church Local Charities Fund, 31 St. Gregory Dr., Bluffton, SC 29909.