Jennifer Blanton Whitaker
1971 - 2024
Jennifer Blanton Whitaker, beloved sister, mother, and grandmother passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully surrounded by family and friends on the evening of July 7th, 2024 at Forsyth Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC where she was born on January 4th, 1971.
Jennifer was known by many as a caretaker and friend, but those who knew her well would call her by her nicknames, Jenny or Fred. In life she worked mostly as a CNA, or as an in-home home health care provider creating bonds, and displaying compassion and caring for others in need. This empathy translated into her personal life as well, as many regarded her as the person that they could call on for a listening ear. No matter the circumstance, Jennifer would be there with advice or willingness to help, even if it was just with her time. One thing that Jennifer loved the most in this world was her children and grandchildren, as they were consistently a part of her conversations with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her Father, Sylvester Gary Blanton and Mother Linda Carol Sneed. She is survived by her Life Partner, Larry Moretz, her husband of 23 years and Father of her children Robert Whitaker Jr., two daughters Chasity Nickelston and fiancé Nic Joyce, Alexis Whitaker, and one son Alex Whitaker and fiancé Grace Trivette. Jennifer also has one sister Erica Blanton, and one brother Bryan Whitlock. She has four grandchildren Autumn Nickelston, Ayden Nickelston, Ivy Joyce, and Josie Whitaker, as well as several in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews on both her mother and fathers side, including Gary Blanton’s wife, Vicky Blanton.
A celebration of life will be coordinated at the end of August, 2024, and all of the details will be provided via a Facebook Event Page created by Chasity Nickelston. Her family would like for this event to reflect all the things that Jennifer loved in her life, and one of the things that she loved the most was her family. Special thanks to all of those that reached out to Jennifer’s family in these especially hard times. It definitely does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. There is no doubt that Jennifer is now at peace and in a much better place with her family and friends that went on to heaven before her. This is not a goodbye, but rather a see you soon. We love you more.
Jennifer was crazy to say the least. Many ups and downs. You would definitely not know what to expect. I watched her become a better person for herself and it gives me hope as well as definitive proof that someone can change if they really want it. Life will never be the same without her. I’m proud to call her my family and will always keep the good times close. I don’t know who I’m gonna sit in the corner with on holidays and talk about life because that was our thing. Her children are the greatest gift she could give this world and I hope they continue to bring honor to her crazy ass. I’ll miss her as long as I’m alive.
I am so deeply saddened to hear about Jennifer’s passing. I was fortunate enough to meet her when my daughters started attending the same elementary school as Alexis and Alex. From the moment we met I instantly knew she was going to be a life long friend. Jennifer was such a good woman. She loved and cared with her whole heart. She was such a free spirit. Now she will continue to live her best life with all her loved ones who came before her.
Jennifer had a way of bringing people in, and making them feel so welcomed. She never judged and never had a bad word to say about anyone. The one thing about her, was her sense of humor. So many times she had me laughing until it hurt.
My heart breaks for her children and grandchildren. Her most prized possessions. Her children were her whole life, and she was so proud to call them hers. Rest easy Jenny, you will be missed by many.
Jennifer was one of the very few neighbor moms I had on Vogler growing up! Now that I think about it she pretty much saw me grow into a woman.. 6/7 year old me running around the neighborhood to me 18 years pulling up in the driveway in my first car! I specifically remember a girls night she did with me, her and Lexi – mayybbeee Nanny, and me and Lexi got our hair braided in little braids so it took forrreevvveerrr but it was fun bc I got to stay up late and I’m pretty sure we got to watch movies and eat snacks, and we were all laughing having fun! That’s just one of many memories that stick out to me with Jennifer! She was loved by many, and will be missed by all! My condolences to the family ❤️ love you guys!
My sister was such a beautiful soul inside and out. I will miss her dearly, our calls were always so comforting. Whether it was us being silly, venting, crying, or talking about our lives. Those calls meant everything to me!!!! We would always talk about how much we looked alike, and that it was probably a good thing we didn’t grow up around each because North Carolina wouldn’t be ready for 2 crazy sisters. A piece of my heart is gone, but I know you are up there with daddy, grandma, and grandpa. I love you forever and always sister.
Oh how I miss you so much already. It’s been a week and a half since we talked last, and almost a week since you passed. Time has effectively slowed down and speed up at the same time. It honestly still does not feel real and I’m just waiting on you to message me asking if I’m alive..lol. That was our thing when we haven’t heard from each other in a while. You or I would say no back jokingly, but this time that’s not the case, and there are really no words that can describe how that feels. There is a lot that I am thankful for even though at this time in my life it is really hard, and you leaving has made it more so, but I know that you are in a much better place because you showed me, and I am thankful for that and my connection that I have to the place that I will be joining you in one day.
We had a lot of ups and downs throughout our time on Earth together, but I am so thankful for the times that we have shared especially over the last 6 months. There were conversations that were had recently, and looking back we both knew something was coming, but we remained hopeful no matter the challenges we faced.
I have to thank you for the support you have given me throughout this new phase in my life, and I hope that I was able to help you as well, and almost certain that it did. I am so proud of what you were able to accomplish over the last couple years of your life, and I know for certain God has a plan for all of us, and I have to trust that he knows best at this time. Surrender is sometimes the hardest thing to do and just ride the wave. That’s what I’m doing Momma, and I want to continue to make you proud of me for the rest of the life that I have here left, and follow my purpose as I am guided by the highest power in the Universe which you have returned to and that we are all apart of even if many do not know it.
Your compassion lives on through your children and grandchildren, and as long as I can I will tell our stories and keep that compassion and empathy alive through not only our family but my work and life’s purpose. We are doing everything that we can to fulfill your wishes, and I will continue to try and not ask why this happened so soon, but rather rejoice in the fact that you have found peace, and returned back to a love that is unconditional and expansive. So for now enjoy your birds eye view until we meet again. I love you so much Momma and I know you are watching over me and the family.
I am writing this tribute for my brother Al Kirman. He was Jennifer’s neighbor and he thought alot of Jennifer and Larry. My name is Donna and I am in Walnut Cove every week. I would ask my brother how Jennifer and Larry were doing each week. He use to check on them every day and take them muffins everytime he made them. He was so shocked to hear that Jennifer was in the hospital. He was heart broken to hear she had passed. She reminded him of our mom that passed in 2019. Just know Jennifer will greatly be missed.
Jennifer will truly be missed. I knew her in her younger years before she had Chasity and a few years after. Jennifer loved to have fun and was a very sweet and special friend.
Jennifer, I sit here so shocked that u have gone away! I knew u for 40 yrs. and everyday of that time didn’t go by that we didn’t talk or see each other. I saw u go through ur ups and downs and u always took them in stride. We shared alot of things, such as our birthday, being born on the exact same day in the same hospital. I loved your sense of humor, your beauty, your love to have fun and be silly. I loved the way u treated anthony as if he was one of ur nephews. I loved the way u never judged anyone for anything! There are alot of memories that I am going to have and will cherish for the rest of my life. I AM SO PROUD TO CALL U MY FRIEND AND I WILL SEEU AGAIN ONE DAY!! I loved your chicken shit and ur potato salad and that will forever be missed. By the way, Spencer says see u later and Anthony says love u more auntie!!! Till we meet again my friend , I LOVE U AND U WILL BE FOREVER BE MISSED!!!!❤️💜❤️💜🙏🙏🙏THIS ISNT GOODBYE, RATHER ILL SEE U LATER!!! LOVE U ALWAYS!!!!
I still can’t believe you’re gone! I wake up each day wanting to message you and check on you but then reality sets in that you’re not here.i miss u sissy. You were the only one that could keep me in check.calm me down,, make me laugh and yes sometimes we would cry and raise some hell but at the end of everyday we said I Love You!!!! You will forever be in my heart and my soul!🥰😘❤️🙏