Elma Louise Whipple

Elma Louise King Whipple, 95, passed into the loving arms of her Lord on Tuesday March 3rd. Elma was born February 6, 1931 in Greensboro, FL to James Rayford King and Barbara Abigail Earnest King. She attended Leon High School in Tallahassee, FL and Emanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Havana First Baptist Church. Burial will follow the service at Woodland Cemetery. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 2:00 PM.

Elma met and married the love of her life, William R. Whipple at age 22 on New Years Eve, 1953 in Tallahassee. They made their home in Havana, Florida and were blessed with three children. They were married for 23 years until his death, too soon, in 1976.

Her career spanned Gulf Life Insurance Company, Shelfer and Ellinor Hardware, Havana State Bank, Capital City Bank as teller and receptionist and as a co-owner and office manager of Whipple Tractor Company in Havana and Tallahassee for many years. She then worked 11 years for Farm Bureau Insurance before retiring. She has been a member of Havana Baptist Church for 60 years and volunteered as church secretary for a period of time.

Elma loved dancing, especially the “Jitter Bug” and loved her family dearly. When she lost her husband Bill, she knew she could never find anyone as wonderful as he was, and never remarried.

Survivors include her daughter Cathy Will (Brad) Monticello, son Tim Whipple (Kay) Tallahassee, grandchildren Nicole Will Asheville, NC, Jessica Tryon (Thomas), Ben Whipple (Krysta), Adam Whipple (Hayley), Jacob Whipple, all of Tallahassee, Amanda Hardin (Jason) of Havana and Bryan Shields (Mara), of Crawfordville, 11 great grandchildren, niece Patricia Bush (Wallace) of Calvary, GA. and several cousins and other relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her daughter Regina Scott Shields and a great-grandson Grady Hardin, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ann and Earl Williams.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Big Bend Hospice for their care and compassion at the end of her life. They also are very grateful to her caregivers at Tapestry Senior Living for their care for last 2 years. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please donate in Elma’s memory to Big Bend Hospice.

Faith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (850.539.4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com)