On April 13, 2016, Walter Raleigh Whitaker was called to rest. He was born to the late Arthur and Alma Whitaker on Nov. 28, 1931, in Suffolk.

Walter served in the U.S. Air Force.

As a young man he was an active member of the local sports scene.  He excelled in many areas of athletics using his God given talents of speed and agility. Legend has it that he was an excellent football kicker and baseball catcher. Walter’s talents didn’t end there; he had an angelic voice, which he used as the lead singer in a local prominent group called The Dependable Four.

He leaves to mourn, three sisters, Theresa Capehart, Elnora Holland and Rita Allmond, all of Suffolk; two brothers, Arthur Whitaker III (Marie), of Adelphi, Md., and Glynn Whitaker (Vickie), of Knoxville, Tenn., one aunt, four uncles, and a host of nephews and nieces, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Mr. Whitaker’s visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the funeral home. Funeral services will take place at noon, Thursday, April 21, 2016, at Healing Chapel Baptist Church.

Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended to the family at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.

Professional services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home Inc.