Mary Nell Whitaker, age 92, of Birmingham, passed away on Oct. 1, 2006. She was born Mary Nell Wood on Feb. 7, 1914 in Shelby.

She was a long time resident of Columbiana before moving with her family to Childersburg in 1951.

She attended Shelby County High School and Alabama College, now known as the University of Montevallo. Until her death she was the sole surviving member of her high school graduating class. Mrs. Whitaker and her husband were both actively involved in community service in Columbiana and Childersburg and were active members of both the Columbiana United Methodist Church and the First United Methodist Church of Childersburg. She was extremely proud of her husband&8217;s work in the community and the First National Bank of Childersburg where he served as President. The Outstanding Service Award presented by the Childersburg Chamber of Commerce is now known as the Howard Whitaker Award for Outstanding Service in the Community. Mary Nell was also an active member of her neighborhood garden club. Until her health deteriorated recently, she was an active participant in all activities at Greenbriar at the Altamont where she received a Resident of the Month award.

She was married to William Howard Whitaker for 71 years before his death in 2002. She is survived by her son William Howard Whitaker, Jr. and wife Margaret of Birmingham; grandchildren, Karen Leigh Whitaker of Atlanta and William Darrah Whitaker of Burbank, Ca; great-grandchildren, Cassandra and Troy Whitaker of Burbank, Ca., and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Earl A. Wood and her sister Margaret F. Poole.

A memorial service was held at Greenbriar at the Altamont, 2831 Highland Avenue in Birmingham on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006 at 10 a.m. where Mary Nell lived and was blessed with many friends. A brief graveside service followed at the Lloyd Cole Memorial Cemetery in Columbiana at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Columbiana United Methodist Church, 200 N. Main Street, Columbiana 35051 or the First United Methodist Church of Childersburg, 603 Fourth Street S.W., Childersburg, 35044.

Ridout&8217;s Valley Chapel directed.