EUGENE WHITTED, age 71 of Athens, Tennessee died Friday, February 29, 2008, in Etowah Health Care of Etowah, Tenn.

A native of Loudon County and resident of McMinn County most of his life, he was a son of the late William Jess and Rowena Hicks Whitted and was preceded in death by a sister, Eulene Campbell.

He retired from the U. S. Army with 20 years of service, serving in the Korean and Vietnam Conflict.  He served in Thailand and had tours throughout the United States with service in 25 of the 50 states.  He was the recipient of the following military medals: National Defense Service Medal,  Vietnam Service Medal,  Outstanding Service as Chief CMMI Team 8th Infantry Division,  Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal,  Army Maintenance Unit Citation Ribbon, Army Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon,  Army Accommodation,  and  Meritorious Unit Citation.

He was of the Baptist Faith and a retired employee of Athens Lawn and Garden.  An avid fisherman, he was a member of the B.A.S.S. Masters.

Survivors: Wife of 50 years to whom he married on Aug. 3, 1958: Charlotte Watkins Whitted of Athens, Tenn. Sons and Daughters-in-law: David & Annette Whitted of Athens, Tenn.  Darryl & Donna Whitted of Athens, Tenn.  Don & Julie Whitted of Farragut, Tenn. Dwayne & Alice Whitted of Athens, Tenn.  Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Kenneth Whitted of Ten Mile, TN.  Ralph "Pete" Whitted of Cleveland, TN.  Joe Whitted of California.  Dave Whitted of Cleveland, TN.  Lee Whitted of Cleveland, TN.  Bob Whitted of Cleveland, TN.  Charlie Whitted of Vonore, TN. Grandaughters: Nikki Whitted,   Jessica Whitted,  Olivia Whitted, Kara and husband, Trey Winder,  Kata Whitted,  Sunny Whitted,  and Star Whitted.  Grandson, Ryan Whitted.  Great-grandaughters,  Kaitlynn Winder,  Kylee Winder,  and Kendall Winder.  Several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8:00 P.M. Sunday  in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Minister Tim Gunnells officiating.

Graveside services will be 11:00 A. M. Monday at McMinn Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be J. L. Grady,  Trey Winder,  Ronnie Lingerfelt,  Jerry McKinney,  Tracy Watkins, Jimmy Knox.  Honorary pallbearer will be John Watkins.

The family will receive friends Sunday from  6-8 PM at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn.

The family would like to thank all for their support services and to the employees at the Etowah Health Care Center.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com