Ilene Whitfield

Ilene Dalton Whitfield, 92, slipped away peacefully at her son and daughter-in-law's home in Gloucester, Virginia. Born in Calvary, Georgia on August 2, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Martin Luther and Elvie Clinard Dalton, and was also preceded in death by her husband, Hubert (Whit) Whitfield. Ilene and her husband were married and right away Hubert was shipped to various Army bases in the United States. Ilene would hop on a train and follow along to be with him. She rode a train all the way to California from Georgia on one training tour where she worked a job as a telephone operator. She recorded and copy wrote a song for Hubert in 1943 titled "I've Been True". In 1955, she and her husband moved to Colonial Heights and opened Pinnell's, Inc. in Petersburg, Virginia, specializing in boats, motorcycles, and bicycles. The family purchased the business years later and renamed the store Whitfield's, Inc. Ilene has been a member of Immanuel Baptist Church since 1957, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was active in WMU. Among her other talents, she would go to nursing homes and perform comical skits impersonating Minnie Pearl. Ilene inspired so many people with her extraordinary love and devotion. Remembering her infectious smile, we say goodbye to one of the sweetest women one would ever hope to meet. She loved her church, family, and friends very dearly. She is survived by her children, Danny Whitfield and wife, Rosina, Larry Whitfield and wife, Susie, and Sandra Hunter; grandchildren, Michael Whitfield and wife, Holley, Hamilton Whitfield and wife, Marianne, Joni Whitfield, Skyler Whitfield, Jason Hunter and wife, Caycee, Jordan Hunter, Katie Whitfield; four great-grandchildren; brother, John Dalton; sister, Natholyn Harris and husband, Ron; sisters-in-law, Peggy Walden and husband, Donald, Sylvia Collins, Laura Whitfield, Dot Dalton; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 620 Lafayette Avenue, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834, with the Reverend Steve Lalk and Reverend Jerry Parker officiating. Entombment will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, S. Prince George, Virginia. The family will receive friends Monday night, July 10, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Monday, July 10th, 2017 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Tuesday, July 11th, 2017 11:00am, Immanuel Baptist Church

Interment Details

Southlawn Memorial Park