January 31, 2013

A celebration of life for Johnny Jaron Whitley, 64, of Decatur, was Sun., Feb. 3, at Peck Funeral Home.

Funeral following and burial was at Burningtree Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Whitley died Fri., Jan. 31, 2013, at Huntsville Hospital. He was born Aug. 29, 1948, in Morgan County to Mildred Woods Whitley and Talmadge Jackson Whitley. He was employed by Baker-Sonoco Industries. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann Culver Whitley and his parents.

Mr. Whitley started out in Decatur with poor eyesight, but a gift for music. His parents bought his first baby grand piano when he was 6. By 13, he was playing in Huntsville. He played many years at the Cap and Goggles Lounge, where he led the Bo-John Revival. He had the good fortune of playing and entertaining with many talented musicians. Many lives have been touched by the piano licks of “Johnny Be Good.” He loved his family, animals, Millie, Lucy, Lillie, and music almost equally. The river became a second home. He was also known for his love of God and friends. His patience was unwavering and he will be missed by many. Mr. Whitley had a special love for people with disabilities and Alzheimer’s Disease.

He is survived by his wife and soul mate of 40 years, Mitsie Congo Whitley; a son, James Jaron Whitley and fiancée Holly of Decatur; a daughter, Jennifer Whitley Childers Ruel of Falkville; a granddaughter, Ashley Glenzer and husband Michael, a great-grandson, Dexter Glenzer; two special children, Taylor and Trevor; three sisters, Jackie Bryan and husband Roger, Kim Holmes and husband Greg and Michelle Reeves and husband Kerry; three brothers, Steve Whitley and wife Ellen, Terry Whitley, Ben Whitley and wife Amanda; his mother-in-law, Betty Congo; two sisters-in-law, Kim Landers and husband Dave and Allison and Jake; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Tom White, Truel Orr, Rick Kilgore, David Hembree, Joe Weaver, Jim Shepard, Walter Mills and David Jones.

Honorary pallbearers were Miles Powell, James Phillips, Billy Don Jones, Don Stisher, Sam Tapscott, Jack Jones, Thomas Bennett, Jay Rape, Bama Woods, Ben Whitley, Stev