Della May (Phillips) Whitaker, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11th, 2019 at her home in Grain Valley, MO. She was born September 28, 1933, in Lee’s Summit, MO, to Robert L. and Ida M. (Tarwater) Phillips. She graduated from Blue Springs High School in 1951 and later earned a degree from Longview Community College. On July 7, 1951, she married Floyd A. Whitaker in Independence, MO. Della retired from Unity Village in 2008, after a twenty-year career in the personnel department there. Della is survived by her son, Clinton (Joanna) Whitaker of Grain Valley, MO; her brother, Paul Phillips of Lone Jack, MO; her grandchildren, Tarika (Marques) Bello of Murfreesboro, TN and John Floyd (Sally) Whitaker of Grain Valley, MO; her great-grandchildren, Tyson Whitaker, Cassius Bello, Ceville Bello, Ezra Whitaker, and Levi Whitaker as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert Phillips, her husband, Floyd, and her son, Ricky Whitaker. Della’s generosity, stubbornness, hard-work ethic, and fastidiousness were unparalleled; she will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice at kchospice.org. 

Arrangements:  Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO   816-847-4441