Thomas Van Whittington

Thomas “Van” Whittington, age 76 passed away following an
extended illness in his home surrounded by his loving family on
April 25, 2023. Van was born in Moultrie, GA. He had fond
memories of his childhood friends and spending time with his
father at Spence Field where he worked on airplanes. He moved
to Atlanta at the age of nine. He graduated from North Fulton
High School and attended the University of Georgia where he
was a member of ATO Fraternity and graduated in 1969 with a
Bachelor’s in Journalism. His entrepreneurial spirit and
creativity along with his strong work ethic resulted in multiple
business ventures ranging from ownership of a very successful
pizza restaurant at the Omni in Atlanta to home building in Cobb
County the 1970’s. During the remaining 30 years of his
working life his focus was plastics recycling. Due to his
expertise and and knowledge of the properties and usage of
plastic he had a rewarding career until his retirement in 2018.
Van loved playing golf, Tom Petty, UGA football, The Masters
golf tournament and 50 years of family vacations to St.
Augustine, Florida. He was an active member at St.John
Neumann Parish for the last 20 years and found great fulfillment
in sharing the word of God at Sunday Masses as a lector always
hoping that one person’s heart may be changed by his efforts. He
was very proud he had a direct descendent of an American
Revolutionary Patriot, Joseph Sumner, who fought in the
Georgia Militia.
Van is preceded in death by his sister LaRae Edwards, his
mother Emily Whittington and his father Tommy Whittington. 

He is survived by his loving wife Laurie Whittington, his daughters Kristin Allin and husband Billy Allin of Decatur, GA., Caroline Smith and her husband Chris Smith of Covington, GA., Katie Beauchamp and her husband Adam Beauchamp of Athens, GA., and Emily Bartlett and her husband Nate Bartlett of Morganton, NC., as well as nine grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Missionaries of the Poor PO Box 29893 Atlanta, Georgia 30359 or St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn, GA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Van Whittington, please visit our floral store.