Calvin O'Neil Whitner Obituary (1925 - 2015)

Calvin O'Neil Whitner December 24, 1925 - May 9, 2015 Calvin O'Neil Whitner died on May 9, 2015, at the University General Hospital of Houston, Texas due to lung cancer complications. He was 90 years old. Mr. Whitner was born on December 24, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland to his parents, Greene and Gertrude Harris. He was one of their two children. He attended public schools in the Baltimore area. On December 7, 1941 he joined the Merchant Marines and served through the armed conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with a number of medals for valor and bravery. He returned to his home in Baltimore where he married Bethana E. Ennals on February 7, 1950. They raised five children in Baltimore. Mr. Whitner later moved to Galveston, Texas and worked in various jobs. Mr. Whitner was known among his many friends as a man of quick wit and humor. He was also a man of great resolve and a strong independent spirit. Once he fell ill, his friends Mr. Andrew Williams his wife Dorothy of Galveston, Texas cared for him in his home and checked on him so that he could remain independent until late last year when he moved to the Ashton Park Nursing Home. Once he was feeling stronger, he left the nursing home and moved to Westfield Assisted Living Home in Houston, Texas where he unfortunately fell gravely ill. Mr. Whitner is survived by six children, Syeed Abdulal-haqq (Gregory O'Neil Whitner) and wife, Marbud of Rochester, New York; daughters, Linda E. Whitner, Linell E. Whitner and Legreta Whitner-Stokes of Baltimore, Maryland; son, Michael A. Whitner also of Baltimore, Maryland and youngest daughter, Niki Coker and husband, August of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by an 100 year old cousin, Maxine Gray of Baltimore, Maryland; niece, Jackie Turner of Seattle, Washington; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mr. Whitner was predeceased by both parents and his sister, Katherine Turner of Baltimore, Maryland. A private memorial service and burial will be conducted for Mr. Whitner in Houston, Texas.