Bishop Timothy Whitaker, retired, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Bishop Whitaker was assigned as Resident Bishop of The Florida Conference in 2001 and served for three four-year terms in Florida until his retirement in 2012. Funeral services will be held on April 8 at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson’s UMC in Machipongo, Va., Northampton County.
Bishop Whitaker was ordained a deacon in the Mississippi Conference and transferred to Virginia, serving in rural, town, suburban and center city congregations. He also served as Chair of Evangelism, President of the Board of Discipleship, Vice-President of the Board of Global Ministries and Chair of the Division of Elders on the Board of ordained Ministry. As Norfolk District superintendent, he became the only person elected to the episcopacy in the February 2001 special session of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. He was then assigned to the Florida Area. He retired in 2012.
Bishop Sue said of his passing, “I was sorry to hear that Bishop Tim Whitaker has died. I worked with Bishop Whitaker when he served as bishop of the Florida Annual Conference from 2001-2012. He was a man of great intellect and integrity. I never knew him to make a decision without deep reflection and intentionality. I rejoice that he has joined the communion of the saints, and I know that he will recognize a great many of them because he dedicated his life to studying them. I know he had a great impact on many Virginia United Methodists, and I’m grateful for his legacy and leadership. We hold his wife Melba and their entire family in prayer.”
Bishop Charlene Kammerer, resident bishop of Virginia from 2004-2012, worked alongside Bishop Whitaker in many capacities shared a written reflection. She said in part, “I will miss Tim, his wisdom, his understated humor, his perspectives on all issues, and his good heart. May God’s loving and strong arms embrace Melba and their family as they celebrate his life and his entrance into Eternal Life.”
View Bishop Kammerer’s full reflection here…
Those wishing to share condolences with Bishop Timothy Whitaker’s family may direct them to:
Mrs. Melba Whitaker
18194 Second Street
Keller, VA 23401
[email protected]