MERCER COUNTY W.Va. – Community members in Mercer County are mourning the loss of a retired minister and school teacher after he was hit and killed by a pick-up truck Tuesday evening in Kellysville.
Gregory Whitlow pastored for churches for more than 33 years in the area along with stints in Tennessee and Hawaii. Whitlow was a well-known substitute teacher in Monroe County Schools and spent time teaching in Mercer County as well.
His untimely death came as a shock to friends and family. Whitlow was a member of Lifeline Church in Princeton and the senior pastor at the church says Whitlow will be dearly missed by not only the congregation but the entire community.
“Greg is a compassionate and caring person, he loved everyone. No one could say a bad word about him because he was just kind to everyone,” said J.B. Hurt. “From children all the way up to senior adults. Everyone had a lot of respect for him and loved him.”
Whitlow is also remembered for his time spent playing the ukulele for those close to him.
Morris Clyburn, a family friend of Whitlow, released the following statement on his death.
“It is an honor to speak on behalf of Brother Greg Whitlow, my almost cousin, who was truly an Oakvaleian. He was active in the East River Ruritan, Kellysville Church of God, Oakvale UMC, Hatcher Men’s Fellowship, and many activities around the Oakvale community, including National Day of Prayer, Taps Across America, cemetery collection, annual Thanksgiving service, litter pickup, local family and school reunions, and attending to flowers and shrubs at his home and the Ruritan grounds.” “He was truly a man of God that served as pastor, teacher, and playing and singing with his ukuleles. He will be missed by all Oakvale folks. But God has received Greg into heaven, something his faith and talents has earned him a place of rest and peace with Jesus and all his loved ones that went before him.”
WVVA has reached out to the West Virginia State Police for any information on the incident that took Whitlow’s life. It’s unclear if the driver of the pick-up truck will face any charges.
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