John Phillip Whitlow, 59, of Berry, passed away on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at his residence. He was born on Sept. 14,1952, at People's Hospital in Jasper. He lived in Cordova and attended and graduated from Cordova High School. John and Debbie were married on May I5, 1981. They then moved to Berry. He worked for the Southern Company for 29 years before he retired. He pastored in Belk for one year, and was a stand-in pastor at Bevan Missionary. Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan, 27, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Berry Freewill Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. The Rev. Kenneth Bozeman will officiate. The family will receive friends Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie Elaine Vice Whitlow of Berry; son, Phillip Wesley (Melissa) Whitlow of Berry; daughter, Kimberly Joy Whitlow of Berry; brothers, Roger (Faye) Whitlow, Ricky (Cathy) Whitlow, Terry (Lavone) Whitlow and Chris (Lisa) Whitlow; sisters, Patricia (Dennis) Cooper, Chesteen (David) White; and two grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie Gibson and Dan'L Preston Gibson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Lee and Annie Bell Whitlow; and mother-in-law, Dovie Kirabrell Vice.

Honorary pallbearers will be George Madison, Steve Cannon and Raybum Kennedy.

Active pallbearers will be, Chris Bozeman, Josh Cannon, Walter Taylor, Dean Kimbrell, Dennis Aldridge and Chad Aldridge.

Nelson Funeral Home, Fayette; 205-932-8961