A Life Story

Tybee Island -Joseph Marsh Whitaker (Joe), 89, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026, Tybee Island, GA. Born on July 7, 1936 in Cedar Bluff Virginia, Joe was a man of quiet determination, a thirst for knowledge, and an unwavering work ethic. Joe graduated from Richlands High School and attended the University of Virginia for two years before being drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served honorably from 1958 to 1964. In the Army while at Fort Jackson, he served as a medical technician. This is where he met his beloved wife Hilda McKenzie who worked as a registered nurse at the hospital in Columbia SC. After his military service, he began a career that spanned over five decades. From 1964 to 1970, he worked at Parker Laboratory before founding Whitaker Laboratory Inc., where he served as president from 1970 until his passing. His business specialized in construction materials testing, geotechnical engineering, and environmental testing. Over the years, Joe conducted business on more than ten thousand construction projects across the Coastal Empire, including landmarks such as the Desoto Hilton, Savannah Civic Center, and Savannah Mall. His expertise in concrete, asphaltic concrete, and soil-cement mix designs was widely respected. At times throughout his life he also operated a well drilling business, a auto body shop and a home remodeling business. Throughout his career, Joe worked diligently behind the scenes in support of his many clients. He really enjoyed all of his clients. He particularly liked learning their back story and how they came to be in business. Joe also enjoyed his many employees throughout the years. He often would describe them as helpers because he said he needed their help to conduct business. He considered them all as extended family. Throughout his life he enjoyed meeting friends such as Willie, John R, Dick, Carroll or Rick for lunch or breakfast at places like Taylors, Jefre’s, the Farmers Market or Western Sizzlin. Beyond his professional achievements, Joe found joy in reading, freshwater fishing, watching college football, riding his dogs on his golf cart, gardening, cultivating flowers, and taking his grandchildren on memorable trips. Joe dearly loved animals and he rescued many stray cats and dogs over his life. He also kept goats and ducks at his pond to help keep it fertilized. A devoted family man, he is survived by his children Laura Brendle and her husband Tommy, Natasha Smith and her husband Lee and Joseph F. Whitaker and his wife Cindy; grandchildren included Joseph Michael Whitaker and his wife Kelli, Elizabeth Lane and her husband James, Christine Henderson and her husband Kyle, and Caroline Marsh Smith; and great-grandchildren Kate Whitaker, Jack Whitaker, Brooks Whitaker, Clare Whitaker, McKenzie Henderson, Charlotte Lane, Gracie Henderson, and James Lane. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Hilda M. Whitaker; parents, Joseph Benjamin and Helen McBrayer Whitaker; sister Frances McGlothlin; and brother James Whitaker. A visitation will be held at Fox & Weeks Funeral Home on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. May Joseph’s legacy of hard work and love for family bring comfort to all who knew him.