John S. Whatley Jr.

Evans, GA – Mr. John Summerlin Whatley Jr. entered into rest on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in Evans, GA.

John was born on November 1, 1939, in Sulphur, LA to John Summerlin Whatley Sr. and Vivian Carter Whatley. The family moved to Glendale, AZ when John was 4 years old. As a young boy, he enjoyed riding his bike to the local library to read books on archaeology of the southwest. He also enjoyed going to the mineral museum in Phoenix, where he first began his love for rocks and minerals.

After graduating from Glendale High School in 1957. John went on to graduate from the University of Arizona in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He moved to Augusta, GA in 1967 to work at International Minerals and Chemical Corp. as plant manager. There he met his wife, Andrea (Rhodes) and they were married on June 22, 1968. Later that year, John began his career with JM Huber Corp. in Macon, GA and continued that career later at the Wrens, GA plant. He retired from JM Huber after 33 years of service. John was a loving, devoted, caring and generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

John had many interests and hobbies. His favorite hobby was collecting rocks and minerals and he was a member of the Augusta and Aiken, SC Gem and Mineral Society. He also enjoyed collecting arrowheads and he co-authored the book, An Overview of Georgia Projectile Points and Select Cutting Tools. He was a member of the Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama Archaeology Societies and he also enjoyed volunteering in the Archaeology Department at SRS. John was a member of Grace Baptist Church and enjoyed teaching Sunday School for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Hugh Carter Whatley and sister-in-law, Jo Whatley. He is survived by his wife, Andrea; his daughter, Ginger Whatley of Atlanta, GA; and son James Whatley of Gainesville, GA; and twin grandchildren, Carter and Rebecca Whatley and other loving family members.

The funeral service will be held Monday, December 19, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors with Chaplain Wade Sosebee officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Archaeological Conservancy, 1717 Girard Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106-1718 or to the charity of your choice.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com