Becky Whitlock

Becky Whitlock, a longtime resident of the Kingsport area, died Thursday, September 11th at Smyth County Community Hospital. Born in 1964 in Lidgerwood, North Dakota, Becky received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications and a Minor in Latin from Valparaiso University. At the time of her death, she was pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree from Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. She would have celebrated her 50th birthday on September 16th.

After nearly a quarter century as Editor of the Features Department of the Kingsport Times-News, Becky felt called to pursue a second career in the ministry. She was working as Vicar of Rural Retreat Lutheran Parish in Southwest Virginia last Thursday morning when she suddenly became short of breath. She died a short time later in the emergency room of a Marion, Virginia hospital.

Becky's favorite Bible passage was from Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verse 31: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." The previous evening, just hours before her death, Becky delivered a homily on Psalm 98, Verses 1-4: "O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things... " Utilizing that text, she wove a powerful personal testimony of what it means, as a Christian, to share in Jesus' victory over death and the grave.

Becky is survived by her husband of 26 years, Stan Whitlock; twin daughters Olivia and Bianca; parents Rev. Marvin and Marlene Otto; two brothers, John Otto and wife, Jenna and Kurt Otto and wife, Robin and a daughter Madison McGuier.

The family will receive visitors at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport on Monday, September 15 from 5-7 p.m. A funeral service will take place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 Broad Street, Kingsport with Pastor Steve Counts and Pastor Jonathan Hammon, her Internship Supervisor officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date in the columbarium at Holy Trinity.

Those wishing to do so may make a donation to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN 37660 in Becky's memory.

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