Richard Lawrence Whipkey, Richland, Ga, 67, died peacefully Saturday, January 7, 2012, at Columbus Specialty Hospital surrounded by his family.

A graveside service was held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 10, 2012 in Harmony Cemetery with Rev. Robert Orr officiating.  The family received friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Monday, January 9, 2012 at Baldwin Funeral Home, 50 Charles Overby Dr, Richland, GA.

Richard was born November 5, 1944 in Grantsville, W VA, son of Casper L. and Bertie Propst Whipkey.  Since coming to Georgia in 1963, among the businesses he worked for were: Ethridge Oil Company, RC Cola, Sam Moore, Richland, Adams Food Center and retired from the Stewart County Road Department in 2009.  Richard always believed that if you liked the people for whom you worked, work wasn't a job.  He felt like the men he worked for were his friends and part of his family.  He was a talented musician playing with the same guys for many years.  Music was his passion.

Along with his parents, Richard was preceded in death by eleven brothers and sisters and his mother-in-law Thelma Huddleston Dale.  Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Sue Whipkey, children, Lorine Whipkey Franks, Charles R. Whipkey (Allister), Teresa Whipkey and Chris Jakab, Mark (Robin) Whipkey; one grandson, Guy M. Kimble; three granddaughters, Brandi K. Storey (Jesse), Alexandria F. Franks and Madison P. Whipkey; two great grandsons, Conner M. Storey and Dalton M. Frangoudakis; one sister, Geraldine Johnson of Chardon, OH; two nieces, Oma Rhodes and Anita Mulinex of Parkersburg, W VA; and a sister-in-law, Faye Brannon (Dennis) of Griffin, GA.

The family extends a special thanks to the wonderful staff of 8ICU, Columbus Specialty Hospital and Vista Care Hospice of Columbus.

Flowers were accepted or donations may be made to the Humane Society in memory of Richard Lawrence Whipkey.

"There is only one thing that last longer than time; and that is love."