Michael Deshawn Whipple

Michael Whipple went to his heavenly home on Saturday, February 18, 2023, after a valiant and courageous battle with brain cancer.

Michael grew up in Whitewright, Texas. He attended and graduated from Special Education at Fred Douglas School in Sherman, Texas and Seguin High School in Seguin, Texas. He attended the First Baptist Church of Whitewright, Texas, and later the First Baptist Church of Sequin, TX. Michael worked at the Resource Center at Goodwill Industries in Sherman, Texas after graduation. As a child, Michael was a member of Boy Scouts of America. In high school, he was involved with Special Olympics, competing in various track and field events. He enjoyed going to many Special Olympics meets over the years, excelling in all track events. Michael loved competing with his friends, more than winning. He lived out the Special Olympics motto of “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Don E. Whipple of Whitewright, TX; Grandparents – Jerome C. Whipple and Nettie (Turner) Whipple of Whitewright, TX; and Ward E. Hill and Dona Idelle (Joiner) Hill of Savannah, GA; as well as many aunts and uncles, and other family members.

Michael is survived by his mother, Marilyn (Hill) Sladecek of Savannah, GA; Sisters, Claire Wood (Merle) of Boca Raton, FL; Debbie Tillett (Gary) of Tampa, FL; Donna Bowles (Michael) of Chelsea, AL; Brother, Scott Whipple of Savannah, GA; Nephews, Brad Tillett of Dallas, TX, Fabian Whipple of Dallas, TX; Christopher Danforth of Dallas, TX; and Derek Bowles of Chelsea, AL; and nieces, Erin (Tillett) Ellsworth of Austin, TX, Kimberly (Danforth) Thelen of Little Elm, TX, Madison Bowles of Davenport, FL and Lauren Bowles of Atlanta, GA, and many other dear family members and friends.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive Savannah, GA 31406) with Rev. Dr. Christopher M. Harris of Hampton, GA officiating and eulogies given by Michael Bowles, Brother-in-Law, Chelsea, AL; Eddie Fountain, Cousin, Deltona, FL; and Craig Shearouse, Cousin, Savannah, GA. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nancy N. and JC Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, Savannah, GA.

Michael DeShawn Whipple was born July 6, 1972, in Sherman, TX to Don and Marilyn. Michael was a beautiful soul born perfect in every way. But God planned a special life for Michael…a life that changed all OUR lives in the most delightful way.

Since he was a baby, Michael taught us many things.

He taught us perseverance and strength...to love without reason...to find joy in almost every situation...and to never forget.

He loved us big, and fierce...and he was very protective. He loved us when we were unlovable...when we were happy or sad or angry or depressed. It didn’t matter what we had done or what we had said...he forgave and he continued to love.
Michael found joy in remembering friends and loved ones who had passed. His father, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Elvis, Rocky his dog, and MANY others. And he always reminded us...but mostly himself...that they are all together...with Jesus...and they aren’t hurting anymore or sad. He had the purest and most tender heart. He cried sometimes. Maybe it was because he was sad, or maybe it was because YOU were sad. He felt that, and it hurt him.

The most beautiful thing about Michael was the room he had in his heart for others. There was always room for one more. If he taught us anything, it was how to love. Without limits. He taught us that the heart is infinitely expandable – limitless, even. He taught us that we could add and add and add people to our circle of family or friends, and we would never run out of love to give. He taught us that we could love many people equally, and no one would ever suffer from a lack of love from him. He taught us to love others as Jesus loves. A never-ending, ever-flowing river of love that was equally and joyfully distributed among us all.

And we loved him right back…and we always will.