[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF PERRY MARKEL WHITTINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2024

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life 
of Perry Markel Whittington, a cherished husband, father, and 
grandfather who passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024, at the age of 74 
Born on August 17, 1949, in Braxton, Mississippi, to Charles Hansford 
Whittington and Della Pierce Whittington, Markel and his twin brother, 
Mark, were the youngest in a family of ten children.
  Markel graduated from Harrisville High School in 1967 and went on to 
receive a degree in business administration from Mississippi College in 
1971. He began his professional career at McRae's department store in 
1969, eventually rising to the position of Store Manager. It was here 
that he met Elizabeth ``Libby'' Owens, who would become his wife. The 
couple married in the summer of 1974 in Pensacola, FL, and later 
settled in Tupelo, MS. In 1979, Markel left McRae's to purchase and 
manage Middleton Office Products.
  Tupelo was where Markel and Libby chose to raise their family, 
becoming active members of the First United Methodist Church and 
forging lasting friendships Markel also contributed to the community as 
a board member of Alpha House and the Boy Scouts of America, receiving 
the Silver Beaver Award. A committed Rotarian since 1979, he was 
honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. Markel also 
dedicated many years to public service as a City Councilman for Ward 1, 
serving from 2009 to 2021.
  Above all, Markel was devoted to his family. He cherished his role as 
a husband, father, and grandfather, finding great joy in life's simple 
moments with his grandchildren. Markel was preceded in death by his 
wife Libby, his parents, his siblings Joy, Carolyn, and Bill, and his 
sisters-in-law Betty, Sally, and Opal Whittington.
  He is survived by his sons, Preston Markel (Anna) and Pierce Marion 
(Brittney), grandchildren Stanley Pierce, Catherine Elizabeth, 
Charlotte Elliott, and Francis ``Frankie'' Rhodes, brothers Charlie, 
Ken, Floyd, Bill, Keith, Mark, his favorite cousin Elton, and his 
beloved dog, Magnolia Blue ``Maggie.''

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