Orville Glenn “Buddy” Whitaker, age 74 of Alto, Georgia went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Born in Hendersonville, Tennessee on March 11, 1952, he was a son of the late Ernest Glenn Whitaker & Catherine Brucilla Edwards Whitaker.

Buddy retired as a plumber after many years of dedicated work. He was a faithful member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lula, Georgia. In his spare time, Buddy enjoyed hunting and fishing and treasured the simple joys of spending time outdoors. Most of all, he loved his family dearly and will be remembered for the love and kindness he shared with those around him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Deborah Isom Whitaker; son, Kenneth Whitaker; grandson, Waylon Hendricks; and uncle, Jerry Edwards.

Survivors include his loving wife of 19 years, Carol Land Whitaker; children, Jessica & Dustin Smith, Amanda & Hunter Hamilton, Robert Whitaker, and Christopher Posten; 26 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and friends and his fur baby, Coco.

A celebration of Buddy’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 07, 2026 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lula, Georgia with his lifelong best friend, Rev. Larry Brown and Rev. Len Land officiating.

An online guest registry is available for the Whitaker family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.