Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Grenada for Mrs. Ella Louise Cockrell Whitten, 89, of Grenada, who died on Thursday, March 14, at her residence. Burial followed in Oddfellows Cemetery in Grenada. The Rev. Bobby Taylor Vance officiated and her son, Dr. William Durwood Whitten Jr., delivering the eulogy. The family received friends from 2 p.m. until the hour of the service on Saturday, March 16, at the church.
Ella was born on Feb. 14, 1935, in Batesville, the daughter of the late Brent Durr and the late Elva Bevell Cockrell. She worked for a number of years in the shoe department at Walmart in Grenada. A devoted wife and mother, she was an excellent homemaker, always ready to prepare a delicious meal for her family, as well as a skilled seamstress. She also enjoyed crafting and reading.
Ella cherished any time she was able to spend with her family, especially while traveling and attending plays and other productions. She was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Grenada where she served as church secretary and had also represented the church at General Assembly as an Elder Commissioner.
In addition to her parents, her husband of 64 years, William Durwood Whitten, preceded Ella in death.
Survivors include, her daughters, Allison Ashmore of Grenada and Denise Hogan (Guy) of Clinton; son, Dr. William Durwood Whitten Jr. (Michael Hyman) of Baltimore, Md.; brother, Larry Cockrell (Wanda) of North Little Rock, Ark.; four grandchildren, William D. Whitten III, William Ward Ashmore, George Brent Ashmore and John Luke Whitten and four great grandchildren, Ella Ambrose Ashmore, William Durwood “Liam” Whitten IV, Olivia Blake Whitten and Ivy Belle Whitten.
Pallbearers were Dody Allbritton, Brent Ashmore, William Ashmore, Sidney Hendricks and William Durwood Whitten III. Honorary pallbearers were Trey Moore and John Luke Whitten.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Grenada.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge.
