Shelmaknee Whitehead

BLUEFIELD — Shelmaknee E. Whitehead, loving daughter of Jackie M. and Thelma R. Whitehead, passed into the waiting arms of the Lord on August 11, 2010 at West Virginia University Medical Center. Shelmaknee was born September 29, 1974 in Bluefield, W.Va.. and was the doting mother of Dont'e A. Huff. She was of the Baptist faith and had been battling Crohn's disease for a number of years. A former employee of Sun Trust Bank in Durham, N.C. and Savannah, Ga., she eventually moved back to her beloved Bluefield to be near her family. At the time of her death she was employed by J.C. Penny's and Cargo. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jack and Sue Peoples; her maternal grandmother, Shirley Davis; and her aunt, Sarah E. (Joy) Johnson. Survivors include her parents, Jackie M. and Thelma R. Whitehead; son, Dont'e A. Huff; her aunts, Jeanie Smalls and Delmar Cheatham of Bluefield; her uncles whom she loved and tried to keep in line, Gene A. Wyatt, Jr., Jeffrey M. Whitehead and Johnny M. Peoples of Bluefield, Christopher J. and Sammy J. Peoples of Charlotte, N.C.; her cousin, with whom she shared a sisterly bond, Monica E. Whitehead of Charlotte, N.C.; and her niece, nephews, cousins, friends and co-workers. A memorial service will be held Monday August 16, 2010 at the Craven-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell at 12:00 p.m., followed by funeral services at 1:00 p.m., with the Reverend Donald Gibson and Deacon Gene A. Wyatt, Jr. officiating. As for her wishes, Shelmaknee will be cremated.