Epsilon Sigma Chapter

P.W. “Buddy” Whiteaker

P.W. “Buddy” Whiteaker, age 87, died peacefully on December 3, 2022, surrounded by family at his home in Maumelle, Arkansas. He was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on July 8, 1935, the son of Joseph William and Laura Pearl (Muse) Whiteaker. Buddy graduated from Pine Bluff High School (1954), before earning his B.A. from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) (1958), where he proudly pledged Sigma Nu Fraternity. He furthered his education by earning his M.B.A. from the University of Mississippi.

Buddy will be remembered for his passion for politics and public policy, his respect for all people, his love of music, the arts, the outdoors, games, gardening, and learning, his work ethic, his leadership, and his ability to dream impossible dreams. He proudly served the people of the State of Arkansas as the Administrative Assistant and Staff Director for Senator John L. McClellan before returning to the state to develop land and build homes. He will be deeply missed.

Buddy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Ada (Latta) Whiteaker; their children, Greg (Maria) Whiteaker, Deni Whiteaker Clark, and Scott (Mary) Whiteaker; their grandchildren, Abby (Miles) French, Preston (Shelby) Clark, and Byrne, Elise, Alyssa and Drew Whiteaker; and his nephews, who are more like brothers, Jim and Rick Skillen. A great-grandson, Everett Alan Clark, will make his arrival in the coming weeks, and great-granddaughter, Mary Claire French, will arrive this spring. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, brothers, brothers-in-law, and son-in-law, Mike Clark.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2022, in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son in Pine Bluff, with a visitation to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our House shelter organization, P.O. Box 34155, Little Rock, AR 72205.

For online condolences, please visit www.RalphRobinsonandSon.com.

Andrew Talbot Rainer, Jr.

Andrew Talbot Rainer, Jr. “Drew” died on October 3, 2021, at his home in Memphis, TN. Drew was the oldest of 4 siblings, born on July 4, 1999. He was a senior at Rhodes College, where he was a Clarence Day Scholar majoring in English with a minor in Music. He was part of the Rhodes Jazz Ensemble and the chaplain of Sigma Nu fraternity, where he was a brother. Prior to Rhodes, Drew graduated with honors from Christian Brothers High School, where he played trombone in the oldest high school band in America, and was a varsity wrestler, Drew was a voracious reader, and was awarded the Chad Eatherly Scholarship, “given to the Brother’s Boy who exemplifies our best graces: compassion, humor, wisdom, service, spirit and spiritedness…”

From childhood, Drew was an accomplished musician, singer and lover of music, who as a very small boy volunteered to sing at Christmas mass at St. Peter Church, where he continued to serve as a cantor, soloist and duetist. He sang with the Memphis Boy Choir and played trombone in the CBHS Jazz band and with the pep band at football games. Drew also studied bass guitar, and greatly loved playing in his 80’s rock group, Belvedere, with his bandmates.

Drew earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 55, and in 2017 completed a 12 day, 85 mile trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico with fellow Troop 55 scouts and troop leaders.

Drew learned his love for his Catholic faith at St. Peter Catholic Church, where in addition to singing, he served at the altar, and was a devoted member of the high school youth group, known as “The Thing.”

Drew was a loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend. He was a kind, cheerful, intelligent and outgoing young man, who was loved by his friends.

He is survived by his mother and father, Keith and Andy Rainer, his sisters Nell and Mary, and his brother Robert. He also leaves behind his Aunt, Lesley Dillon (John), his uncles: Jim Rainer (Missy), Stephen Rainer (Debra) and Andrew Doggett (Nora), 11 first cousins, as well a very large extended family network too numerous to mention.

Mass in celebration of Drew’s life will be at St. Peter Catholic Church on Friday, October 8 at 2:30PM. There will be a visitation in the St. Peter parish hall at 1:00PM, and a rosary prayed in the church at 2:00. The service can be streamed live at: https://boxcast.tv/view/drew-rainer-funeral-478870

A memorial fund has been established in Drew’s honor at Pinnacle Bank. Donations can be directed in person or by mail to the Drew Rainer Memorial Fund ? Pinnacle Bank 949 Shady Grove Road South, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38120, or via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/drew-rainer-memorial-fund.

Drew’s family asks that donations be made to this fund in lieu of flowers.

JOHN 15:13:

“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”