Erma Louise Heath Whittemore, age 89 of Tupelo, MS, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023. She was born to the late Andrew Heath and Louise Ricks Heath on May 24, 1933.

Erma graduated from John Rundle High School in 1951, and later attended Holmes Jr. College in Goodman, Mississippi.

Erma was very active as a charter member when Emmanuel Baptist Church, Grenada, was started. She was always very involved in the music program. She served as church pianist for a short time (or until a more capable pianist joined Emmanuel). Erma was always very modest about her talent. She loved to sing in the choir. She and Martha Carter often sang duets in church and were heard weekly on WNAG with Pastor Harry Kellogg.

Erma loved sons Bob and Jeff Chamblee so much and made sure that they were faithful attenders at church almost every time the doors opened. Their faithfulness and love for Jesus is reflected in their lives and their families.

Erma retired from a Civil Service career which began at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1956 and concluded with her position as Claims Representative with the Social Security office in Grenada in 1987.

Due to a decline in health, Erma spent her last years at Traceway Retirement Community in Tupelo, MS near Jeff and his family. She enjoyed living nearer to her grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Robert (Bob) Chamblee (Fawn) of Olympia, Washington, and Jeff Chamblee (Anita) of Belden, Mississippi along with nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands L. E. Chamblee, Haynes Hill, Earl Whittemore, and a brother, Billy Heath and his wife, Sybil, and their daughter Loretta Heath Baker.

Funeral services will be held at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada on Saturday, May 13 in Grenada with Rev. J. Barry Worrell officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. with a celebration of her life following at 2:00 P.M. Interment will be in the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Grenada.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be directed to either Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, or to Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada (662-307-2694).