Louise Melton Whitaker was born on December 6, 1926, in Bertie County, North Carolina to Mary Peele Melton and William Melton Sr. She was the fourth of 12 children born to the couple. At the age of 12, she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Aulander Baptist Church where she served as an usher. Louise began her education in Bertie County and later attended Powellsville High School, where she completed the tenth grade. Finishing high school required completing the eleventh grade; however, the school she needed to attend for that final year was a Black high school located about 20 miles away, so she was not able to continue her studies.

On July 24, 1948, she was joined in holy matrimony to Major J. Whitaker of Rich Square, North Carolina. To this union four children were born: Nathaniel, Vanessa, Deborah Faye and Tracy Michelle. Louise and Major began their married life as sharecroppers. However, it was difficult financially to support a family by these means. In 1953, Louise and Major moved to Newport News, Virginia where Major took a job in the Newport News Shipyard to better support their family. After later moving to Hampton, Louise began work as a cook at Hampton Institute. Louise was a hard worker and worked her way up from a cook to the cafeteria’s Head Chef. She mentored younger workers, and was loved by all and most importantly, her Hampton students. After 23 years with Hampton University, Louise retired in 1988, winning several awards for excellent performance.

Louise’s vocation became her joy. She loved cooking for her family and friends. Sunday dinners were like a soul food feast and her New Year’s dinners were an epicurean delight! These were shared regularly with family, friends and strangers. She had the gift of hospitality and would never let anyone leave her house without eating something. She generously shared crops from her and her husband’s large garden. She was a true Christian.

Louise loved athletics and exercise. She played basketball as a young girl. As an adult, she walked frequently at malls and outdoor tracks, often twice daily. She joined several exercise facilities where she was well known and liked by everyone. This included the YMCA where she made lifelong friends. Louise would use the treadmills, the stationary bicycles and weight machines. In her nineties, she used her mini exercise bike every day for 30 minutes as well as chair exercises with her daughter Vanessa every night.

Although barriers prevented her from continuing her own schooling, Louise deeply understood the value of education. She encouraged her children and others to strive for excellence in school. Through her employment at Hampton Institute, her children were able to attend tuition-free, and she remained there until each of them earned a bachelor’s degree. Louise consistently urged them to pursue as much education as possible, a commitment that led to four bachelor’s degrees, three master’s degrees, and two doctorates within her family. She also took great pride in her two grandsons, lifting them up in prayer at every opportunity. They carried her encouragement with them, developing a strong passion for learning—one even going on to earn a law degree. Though denied formal educational opportunities herself, Louise paved the way for her children and grandchildren, who attribute all their academic and personal accomplishments to her guidance and example. Her legacy is one of strength and leadership. Even into her nineties, she remained sharp, dedicating her days to reading the newspaper, solving word puzzles, and reading her Bible twice a day.

In 1956, Louise joined First Baptist Church East End. At First Baptist, Louise participated in many church activities. Her children attended Sunday school, vacation bible school and participated in church programs. She wanted to always give God her best and loved dressing up for church. Hats were her thing and she was known for wearing the most beautiful hats each Sunday. She was chosen unofficially as one of the church’s Golden Girls along with Margaret Moore and Lillie Mae Lyons. They were inseparable in attending meetings, revivals, and other activities. Louise loved her friends and thoroughly enjoyed being with them. As the pandemic evolved, Louise enjoyed joining Zoom meetings and seeing her church members. She saw many of the members as her children and called them “baby” with all the love she could muster. Louise loved God and created a home for her family that was rooted in Christian principles. When she could not take her children to youth ministry meetings because of work, she would always make sure they got there. She was a virtuous woman who loved her God, her family, her friends, and her church.

Throughout her life, Louise was a shining example of true Christian love and generosity, touching the hearts of family, friends, and strangers alike. Known for her welcoming personality and radiant smile, she never met a stranger and embodied the role of a devoted Christian. Louise is absent from the body but present with the Lord.

The song “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran reflects the deep sentiments that Louise’s children feel for her: You were an angel in the shape of our mum. When we fell down, you’d be there holding us up. Spread your wings as you go. And as God takes you back he’ll say, Hallelujah welcome home.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents Mary Peele Melton and William Melton Sr, her husband of 63 years, Major J. Whitaker, her daughter Deborah Whitaker Terrell, her brother Rex Melton, her sister Ethel Ballance and her son-in-law Byron Burney.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her son, Dr. Nathaniel Whitaker (Dr. Shirley Jackson Whitaker) of Amherst, Massachusetts, her daughters Dr. Vanessa L. Whitaker of Hampton, Tracy Whitaker Burney of Suffolk, her grandsons William Scott Terrell of Hampton and Joshua Tyler Whitaker of Northampton, Massachusetts, brothers William “Bobby” Melton (Lorraine) of Ahoskie, North Carolina and Linwood Melton (Ozella) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sisters Elizabeth Cameron of Hartford, Connecticut and Bettie Jean Powell of Aulander, North Carolina. In addition, she leaves an imprint of her life in a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026 at First Baptist Church East End, 3000 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA.

Viewing for Mrs. Whitaker will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at church on Friday. 

Please keep Mrs. Whitaker family in your thoughts and prayers.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family