Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Home in Grenada for Erma Louise Heath Whittemore, 89 of Tupelo, formerly of Grenada, who died on Saturday, May 6. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grenada. The Rev. J. Barry Worrell will officiate. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a celebration of her life following at 2 p.m.
Erma was born on May 24, 1933, the daughter of the late Andrew Heath and the late Louise Ricks Heath. She graduated from John Rundle High School in 1951, and later attended Holmes Jr. College in Goodman.
Erma was very active as a charter member when Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada was started. She was always very involved in the music program. She served as church pianist for a short time – or until a more capable pianist joined Emmanuel. Erma was always very modest about her talent. She loved to sing in the choir. She and Martha Carter often sang duets in church and were heard weekly on WNAG with Pastor Harry Kellogg.
Erma loved her sons, Bob Chamblee and Jeff Chamblee, so much and made sure that they were faithful attenders at church almost every time the doors opened. Their faithfulness and love for Jesus is reflected in their lives and their families.
Erma retired from a civil service career, which began at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1956, and concluded with her position as claims representative with the Social Security office in Grenada in 1987.
Due to a decline in health, Erma spent her last years at Traceway Retirement Community in Tupelo near Jeff and his family. She enjoyed living nearer to her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, her husbands, L.E. Chamblee, Haynes Hill and Earl Whittemore, and one brother, Billy Heath, and his wife, Sybil, and their daughter, Loretta Heath Baker, preceded Erma in death.
Survivors include, her two sons, Robert “Bob” Chamblee (Fawn) of Olympia, Wash., and Jeff Chamblee (Anita) of Belden, along with nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to either Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada or to Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada is in charge of arrangements.
