Willard Lynn "Brownie" Whittenbarger, age 68, of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his family. Brownie was born to Deaner and Hazel Ledford Whittenbarger on October 8, 1952 in Copperhill, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Brenda Mahan. Brownie enjoyed fishing, watching Tennessee football, and loved southern gospel music. He directed choir at Fairview Baptist Church, Kingtown Baptist Church, Lebanon Baptist Church, and Bethel Church. He also directed Singing in the Mountains Choir for 12 years. He was a member of Bethel Church and fulfilled his calling leading and singing gospel music. He worked for many years at Tennessee Chemical Company, as a Boilermaker, and at the time of his death, was employed as a bus driver for Mountain Area Transportation Services. Brownie is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 37 years, Vicki Sparks Whittenbarger; his precious daughters and sons-in-law, Allison Lynn and Joshua Stover and Emily Anne and Nolan Adams; the joy of his heart, his precious grandaughters, Ava Ryan and Aubrey Kate Adams; sister, Wanda Patterson; brother, Rusty Whittenbarger; brother-in-law, Lynn Sparks; and nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends also survive. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 2:00 PM from Bethel Church with Rev. Claude Mathis and Rev. Doug Payne officiating. Music will be provided by Jeremy Payne and Shannon Bradburn. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Cemetery. Gentlemen selected to serve as pallbearers are Rick Curtis, Jeremy Smith, Eric Jones, Todd Sparks, Barry Carver, and C.J. Green. Honorary pallbearers will be Chad Mason, Roger Cochran, Gary Dillard, Hoyt Carr, Tommy Hamby, James McGill, Leroy Ledford, Mike Patterson, Leroy Satterfield, Rob Bell, and Wade Collins. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Brownie's memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation Akins Funeral Home - Blue Ridge Friday, July 02, 2021 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 7871 Blue Ridge DriveBlue Ridge, Georgia 30513 Directions Funeral Service Bethel Church Saturday, July 03, 2021 2:00 PM 159 Bethel Church Rd.McCaysville, GA 30555 Directions