Darryail Whittington, 79
November 19, 1946 – September 4, 2026
Darryail Wayne Whittington was born on Nov. 19, 1946, in Pascagoula, MS, the son of Ira Josiah Whittington, Jr. and Myrtle Tanner Whittington. He lived a grand life running around the farm among the pecan trees – even had his own horse with the imaginative name of Trigger. Most of his weekends were spent at the Dog River. Pay attention — this will be important later.
Following high school graduation from Moss Point High in 1964, he attended and graduated from Perkinston Junior College in 1966. Fearing being drafted into the United States Army, he enlisted with the Navy one weekend. He came home to a letter stating, “The U.S. Army wants you.” Too late. He raised his hand and swore allegiance to the Navy in February 1967. He really enjoyed his Navy time — other than the ships being sitting ducks off the coast of Vietnam — and served aboard the USS Saratoga and the USS Enterprise. He served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, working on Vigilantes, which he later called “Velociraptors.” He then determined that the next time he saw the inside of a jet, it would be from the nice leather seat inside the plane.
Before being discharged from the Navy, he returned to South Mississippi to work at a paper mill, where he learned another important lesson: no more work at paper mills.
He received his Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 1973, acquiring a fiancé, Joyce, along the way. After graduation, it was on to God’s country in Oxford, where he may have been employed with the Bureau of Pollution Control — or whatever it was called — his name and title often changed (with no raise, of course). But his weekends were filled with what he discovered he loved — volunteering.
In the 1970s, he taught reading as part of the Each One Teach One program. Later, he was honored by the Lafayette County Literacy Council.
A member of the Kiwanis Club of Oxford for 25 years, he was selected Kiwanian of the Year for consecutive years from 1980 through 1983. He served two terms as Lieutenant Governor for Division 16 in 1984 and 1986 and was even selected as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Oxford.
For the next three decades, he continued to volunteer with organizations and groups that make an impact, including the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library’s advisory board, the Oxford Planning Commission, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Lena Wiley, Interfaith Compassion Ministry’s executive director, became known as Whittington’s “other wife.” When requests came from those in need, he answered. He provided transportation, delivered furniture, and everything in between.
A member of Oxford University United Methodist Church for more than 40 years, he served on so many committees that no one remembers all of them. From greeter to administrative council and shuttle driver to offering collector, there was no role he didn’t turn down. He even made more than a dozen mission trips to the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
But perhaps the service for which he was best known across the community was his work with Habitat for Humanity for more than 40 years. He served as site superintendent for several years and built more than a dozen homes for those in need.
In recognition of his service and selflessness, he was recognized as Oxford’s Citizen of the Year in 2005. The surprise was a well-kept secret and a group of his fellow Habitat workers arrived at the ceremony holding signs saying, “Whittington’s Groupies.” He later said the best part of the award was getting to ride in a convertible during the town’s annual Fourth of July parade.
In April 2015, he was honored as the community recipient for the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award — the University of Mississippi’s highest award in honor of service.
And while his passion for volunteering played an important part in his life, the most important job he ever held was that of Dad to his only child, Ryan.
Following his retirement in 2007, he and Joyce traveled extensively, visiting more than a dozen countries and throughout the United States — even Hawaii and Alaska. On Nov. 3, 2026, they would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Whittington proved that one person can change lives.
He would say:
• Kindness matters
• Volunteer
• Plant a tree
• Feed the birds
• Go visit our heroes at the veterans’ home
He was fair, honest, humble, and enjoyed quiet moments. Alzheimer’s robbed us all of nine years of his life. Just imagine what he could have done with those nine years.
He was predeceased by his father and mother; his stepmother, Frances Whittington; and his two younger brothers, Terry and Francis.
He is survived by his brother, David J. Whittington, and sister, Jacqueline W. Gray, both of Big Point, Mississippi; his wife, Joyce M. Dorris Whittington; his son, Ryan M. Whittington; his daughter-in-law, Beth Chrestman Whittington; and his two granddaughters, Adeline Rose and Mary Claire Whittington, all of Oxford, Mississippi.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Sept. 14, at the Oxford University United Methodist Church at 2 pm with visitation to follow immediately after. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Interfaith Compassion Ministry at 1918 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 or at https://www.interfaithcompassionms.org/donate. Holland Funeral Directors are honored to be serving the family.
Remember the Dog River? Whittington asked that his cremains be sprinkled there. Joyce, his first and only wife, suggested that his second wife take care of that. So while Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” — one of his favorite songs — may not be allowed to be played during the service, it will get its due on the five-hour journey to the Dog River, where Ryan will have plenty of time to play it 17 times.
“It is good to have an end to journey forward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” – Ursula K. Le Guin
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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Memorial Service
Monday, September 14, 2026
2:00 p.m.
Oxford University United Methodist Church
*Visitation will be immediately after the service*
