Joseph Alan Whitt
Joseph Alan Whitt, 70, of Athens, Alabama passed away peacefully on November 25, 2020 at Athens-Limestone Hospital surrounded by his family. A true and loyal friend, a loving husband and a devoted father, Joe is survived by his wife Brenda Johnson Whitt, son Joseph Alan Whitt Jr., daughter Amanda Whitt Havely (Samuel), and son Martin Adrian Whitt, all of Athens. He is also survived by a brother Mark Hollis Whitt (Phyllis) of Athens, and a sister Bonnie Gail Whitt (Michael) of Huntsville. Born December 16, 1949 in Athens to parents Floyd Jackson Whitt and Laura Weigart Whitt, Joe received his Bachelor's Degree from Athens State University and went on to successfully own and operate Whitt's Barbecue's founding location on Elm Street for over 50 years. Joe was a master chef, an artist, and a bon vivant. Nothing pleased him more than seeing a customer's face light up with delight at the taste of his creations. He spent years perfecting the subtlest of details, and applied the same level of doting care to his interactions with people. He could talk to absolutely anybody. He was a father-figure and mentor to generations of young employees, many of whom cite him as a pivotal, positive influence in their life. And he told unforgettable stories, with a tone that struck a rare balance between tenderness and mischief. His jokes were nothing short of legend. Later in life, his garden was his pride and joy, bursting especially this past summer with tomatoes, cucumbers, curly-leaf mustard, and vine-ripened grapes. He traveled the world and loved to fly. Inspired by the stories of his father, a veteran pilot in World War II, Joe built working model airplanes from scratch for many years. He once took a flight aboard a Zero-G aircraft with astronaut Buzz Aldrin, hitched a ride in the same type of bomber that his father once flew, and lived out a lifelong dream of skydiving. He explored the ruins of Macchu Picchu, stood in the shadow of Moai on Easter Island, toasted the sunset floating down the River Danube, and often agreed with Mark Twain's sentiment that "you can go to Heaven if you want, I'd rather stay here in Bermuda." Words cannot express how much Joe will be missed by those who loved him. The Whitt family will hold a visitation for Joe at Limestone Chapel, Friday, November 27 from 5 to 7 pm; and a graveside service will follow at Athens City Cemetery, Saturday, November 28 at 11 am.Obituary
Joseph Alan Whitt, 70, of Athens, Alabama passed away peacefully on November 25, 2020 at Athens-Limestone Hospital surrounded by his family. A true and loyal friend, a loving husband and a devoted father, Joe is survived by his wife Brenda Johnson Whitt, son Joseph Alan Whitt Jr., daughter Amanda Whitt Havely (Samuel), and son Martin Adrian Whitt, all of Athens. He is also survived by a brother Mark Hollis Whitt (Phyllis) of Athens, and a sister Bonnie Gail Whitt (Michael) of Huntsville. Born December 16, 1949 in Athens to parents Floyd Jackson Whitt and Laura Weigart Whitt, Joe received his Bachelor's Degree from Athens State University and went on to successfully own and operate Whitt's Barbecue's founding location on Elm Street for over 50 years. Joe was a master chef, an artist, and a bon vivant. Nothing pleased him more than seeing a customer's face light up with delight at the taste of his creations. He spent years perfecting the subtlest of details, and applied the same level of doting care to his interactions with people. He could talk to absolutely anybody. He was a father-figure and mentor to generations of young employees, many of whom cite him as a pivotal, positive influence in their life. And he told unforgettable stories, with a tone that struck a rare balance between tenderness and mischief. His jokes were nothing short of legend. Later in life, his garden was his pride and joy, bursting especially this past summer with tomatoes, cucumbers, curly-leaf mustard, and vine-ripened grapes. He traveled the world and loved to fly. Inspired by the stories of his father, a veteran pilot in World War II, Joe built working model airplanes from scratch for many years. He once took a flight aboard a Zero-G aircraft with astronaut Buzz Aldrin, hitched a ride in the same type of bomber that his father once flew, and lived out a lifelong dream of skydiving. He explored the ruins of Macchu Picchu, stood in the shadow of Moai on Easter Island, toasted the sunset floating down the River Danube, and often agreed with Mark Twain's sentiment that "you can go to Heaven if you want, I'd rather stay here in Bermuda." Words cannot express how much Joe will be missed by those who loved him. The Whitt family will hold a visitation for Joe at Limestone Chapel, Friday, November 27 from 5 to 7 pm; and a graveside service will follow at Athens City Cemetery, Saturday, November 28 at 11 am.
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