Nancy P. Whidden, 67, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, November 23, 2018, at her residence.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Sunday, November 25, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Mahan and the Rev. Blane Jacobs officiating. Lisa Stone will deliver a eulogy. Interment will follow at 4:30 PM in the Westview Cemetery, in Nashville, Georgia. The family will receive friends, Saturday evening, from 6 PM until 8 PM, at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Ms. Whidden was born September 27, 1951, in Florence, South Carolina, to the late John B., Jr. & Marie Gaskins Prince. She was a 1969 graduate of Berrien County High School. Ms. Whidden received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Kappa Delta; she received both her Masters and Education Specialist degrees from Valdosta State University. She began her career in Education in Berrien County, moving to Fitzgerald in 1980. She taught Chapter 1 reading and third grade before moving in to administration. Ms. Whidden served as Assistant Principal at Ben Hill Elementary School and Assistant Principal and Principal for Ben Hill Primary School. After transferring to the Central Office, she worked as Curriculum Director and Associate Superintendent, retiring as Ben Hill County Superintendent, with over 30 years in the education field. Ms. Whidden was a member of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, the Fitzgerald Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club of Fitzgerald. She enjoyed spending time at the beach at St. Augustine and dearly loved her boxer dogs. Ms. Whidden was a member of First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald.
She is survived by her son and his wife, John Whidden & Carrie of Nashville; a daughter and her husband, Julie Whidden Long & Jody of Macon; four grandchildren: Susanna Whidden, Claire Whidden, Merrill Long and John Thomas Long; a brother, John B. Prince, III & his wife, Betty Jean of Tifton and a sister, Jo Holt & her husband, Ted of Adel.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Nancy Whidden Memorial Fund, payable to the Ben Hill County Board of Education, 509 West Palm Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750, to help further public education for students in Ben Hill County.