Frances Juell Whitt

Frances Juell (Judy) Whitt died on Monday, October 2, 2017 at Brookdale, Rock Springs. Judy was born in Limestone County, Alabama on January 19, 1927 to Asa Alfred and Eva Forrest Matlock Whitt, who predeceased her. A certified MT (ASCP) and NCA, she served as a medical technologist in Nashville, Tennessee and Florida before becoming Chief Medical Technologist of Clinical Laboratories, University of Alabama Hospital, in Birmingham, Alabama. Additionally, she served as Teaching Supervisor of the School of Medical Technology at University Hospital, and served as instructor and assistant professor in the Departments of Pathology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, and the Graduate School of the University Hospital at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.She was awarded the Exemplary Service Award by the Alabama Association of College Administrators, and the Alabama Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors. She was also named Distinguished Graduate of UAB’s School of Community and Allied Health and was named Medical Technologist of the Year by the Alabama State Society of Medical Technologists and the Alabama Association of Pathologists. She was known nationwide for her publications in administrative and technological journals and for her leadership in professional organizations. She was also an expert in lab design, aiding in the design of the University Hospital laboratories and in the design of other laboratories, including Beth Israel Hospital in New York City, Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, and St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.In addition to her professional work, Judy was an Ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Athens, South Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, and most recently Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, TN.Judy was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Joseph Preston Whitt, Geraldine Whitt, Alta Chloe Whitt, Carlton Whitt, and Wilby Wayne Whitt. After retirement she moved from Birmingham to Athens in order to care for an ailing sister.She is survived by her nieces and nephews, who appreciated her graciousness and generosity, and who returned her love. Caring for her during her years in Kingsport were her nephew, Michael Whitt and his wife Brenda. Her surviving nieces and nephews, who live throughout the U.S. and Canada, include Joseph Whitt’s children, Susan Johnson, Sally Rogers, Nancy Whitt, Ellen Hubbell, and John Whitt; Carlton Whitt’s children, in addition to Michael, are Dennis Whitt, Karen Koerner, Eric Whitt, and Terry Whitt; and Wayne Whitt’s children, Cindy Whitt and Wilby Whitt.The family will receive friends 2:00-3:00 pm Saturday, October 7, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, Athens, AL. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 3:00 pm with Rev. Linda Post officiating.A Graveside and Committal Service will follow at Athens City Cemetery, Athens, AL. Nephews and nieces will serve as pallbearers.A family visitation with a Remembrance Celebration following will be held Monday, October 9, 2017 from 3:00-4:00 pm at Brookdale, Rock Springs, 640 Rock Springs Road, Kingsport.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY, 40202 or pcusa.org The care of Frances Juell (Judy) Whitt and her family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.Read Obituary