The Life of Minister Valerie Cheek Whitaker, 57

An Educator...

Minister Valerie Cheek-Whitaker, 57 of 404 Elm St., Weldon, NC, died Friday, February 24, 2012 in her residence.

Valerie Gean Cheek was born September 19, 1954 in Garfield Memorial Hospital, Washington, DC to William Henry and Lucille Parker-Cheek. Her quest for education began in Washington, DC at JC North Elementary School.

When her family made a transition to North Carolina, she continued her hunger for education at Tillery Chapel Elementary School and from there she went to Brawley Middle School and graduated with honors from Scotland Neck High School in l972. Afterwards, she enrolled in Elizabeth City State University and graduated with honors in l976 with a BS Degree in Elementary Education. She, also received her Master Degree in Education from Cambridge College.

It was in l976 that Valerie stepped into her first classroom at Weldon Elementary School. She worked and labored for the Weldon City School System for 27 years. Changing venues, she went to Northampton County Schools in 2005 until 2006. She took an administrative position with Hertford County School System as Testing Coordinator until her retirement in 2011.

Valerie, Oh Valerie...The Church...
-She was the first member as a youth of the original church to get driver's license and was the church taxi cab driver, driving Pastor's car to pick-up the young people to come to church
-The first choir directress and was the first to go off to college and get a degree (all of the other young people got upset because Valerie was leaving them)
-Valerie was one of choir directors of the United Voices, of which her mother founded, for many, many years.
-Later in life God called her to minister his word and she became Minister Valerie Cheek Whitaker.

Valerie...The Lady...
-She was known for wearing those outstanding HATS.
-Her style of dressing was one to none.
-She served on the Planning Committee for the Town of Weldon.
-WSMY radio station had a Saturday Morning Gospel Music DJ and it was Valerie.

Valerie...The Educator...
-She headed the Algebra Project for Weldon Middle School.
-Worked from the elementary, middle and high school levels.
-Headed numerous teachers workshops
-She traveled extensively attending teaching workshops.
-If you were in Mrs. Whitaker's classroom, you were guaranteed to learn.
-Many parents would request her, as their children's teacher.
-Taught GED Classes for many years through Halifax Community College.
-Many times she was the first teacher to arrive and the last to leave school.
-Valerie defined the word, "Teacher" and believed that every child should receive a quality education.
-There was much love given to her by students, parents, her co-workers and the like...
-She actually walked and talked like a TEACHER...

Valerie was a pioneer member of the original ECOD and accepted Christ and received the Holy Ghost as the age of 9. She was renewed a new birth in Christ for the redemption of her soul be be animously justified by faith. When she received this new birth in her soul like the bible said! She got saved, sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled under the leadership of her Father and Pastor William H. and Mother/Missionary/Co-Pastor Lucille Parker-Cheek.

Valerie lives today and forever in the lives of: her husband: Robert Whitaker of the home; two daughters: Rachel Williams, Hampton, VA and Rajeen Whitaker of the home; two lovely grandchildren: Kenneth Brown and Victoria Brown both of Hampton, VA; her proud and holy parents: Our Presiding Prelate-Bishop William H. Cheek and Our Right Lady Mother Lucille Parker-Cheek of Tillery, NC; her siblings: Diane Cheek-McMillian (husband-Louis, now deceased), Tillery, NC, William H. Cheek, Jr. and wife Clemintine, Weldon, NC, Karl Tony Cheek and wife Lois of Weldon, NC, Carol Cheek-Handsome and husband Marvin, Weldon, NC and Edgar "Butch" Cheek and wife Evelyn of Raleigh, NC; her paternal-uncle: Arthur Cheek, Landover, MD; her maternal-uncles: James Parker, Tillery, NC, Willie Parker and wife Martha, Washington, DC and Pastor Leroy Parker and wife Eloise of Washington, DC; her brother-In-Law: Ronnie Whitaker and wife Maxine, Washington, DC; a host of nieces and nephews; Her god-daughters: Quanda Edwards, Sonya Howard-White and Camilla Davis-Warren; her god-sons: James Harry Clark, III and Mark Cheek; two special adopted sons: Calvin Yellowday and Michael Marshall; many, many cousins, other In-Laws, relatives, church and school families. From the original ECOD church until now, her devoted and trusted friend: Ellis C. McGee.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Evangelistic Church of Deliverance-Sanctuary, Sycamore St., Weldon, NC. Bishop Al Gee will Officiate. Rev. Quintrell Burrell will be the pulpit conductor. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Weldon, NC.

A private immediate family viewing will be held Friday, March 2, 2012 at 12 O'Clock High Noon until 1:00 pm at the funeral home and a public viewing from 1 to 7 pm.