Gisela Anna Stutz Whitaker of Sheridan, Arkansas was born May 23, 1942 near Stuttgart, Germany.  When she was 18, she moved to America.  She was a homemaker, but so much more.  Within her house, at times she was also a nurse, a cook, a fix-it specialist, a counselor and even a referee, but she was mom and grandma all the time, and she loved every minute of it.

Her granddaughter Cameron said, "Every holiday was spent at her house. Thanksgiving and Christmas being the biggest two yet. Everyone gathers around the table for dinner at Thanksgiving, and the younger ones gathered around the coffee table in the living room, but yet we were all still connected and the conversations were full of energy and stories. Christmas was spent the same way, but after we were all full and happy, we all gathered around the Christmas tree. Opening gifts, sharing laughs and even more conversations. In between the dinners, us children would run up and down the hallways screaming, giggling, and acting a complete fool. However, not once did grandma complain. She never told us to stop, our parents of course, but never her. She just loved having our company. Summer breaks were spent there. After school hours were spent there. Weekends were spent there. So much of my time was spent at my grandma's house, and even at my grown age, I spent so much time there as well. Friday's become known as "pizza Friday's". Every Friday as soon as my cousin and I got off the bus, our pizza was waiting for us at the table. She would eat a piece or two with us and we would have genuine conversations. She loved to hear about our days at school, our sports, or we would sit around and talk about anything and everything. There was never a dull conversation".

Other than her family, one of her greatest joys was gardening and being outside.  She had a gift to make things grow and beautiful.

Mrs. Whitaker died Saturday, December 6, 2025 at JRMC at Pine Bluff at the age of 83.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon B. Whitaker; a daughter, Rita Courtner; a granddaughter, Brandy Harness.

Survivors include her son, Gordon Daniel Whitaker; daughters, Eva Whitaker and Dora Whitaker; grandchildren, Brandon Harness, Chris Harness, Haley Harness, Cameron Whitaker, Damon Vaught, Tyler Whitaker, Christina Whitaker, Jozlynn Kelley, Jordan Kelley, Chase Ryan, Christina Artmeier; great grandchildren, Abel Burke, Jackson Burke, Amilia Burke, Tatum Harness, Brandy Harness, Madyson Harness. She is also survived by numerous other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Walton officiating.  Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation is Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 P.M.