Louis C. Whittle, Sr., 87, was born September 23, 1934, to Mr. Johnie Whittle and Ms. Rosie Bell Reed in Richton, Mississippi. He was a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast for more than 50 years. Louis departed this life, Friday, October 15, 2021.

Louis, or "Old Folk" as he was commonly know as by friends and family, was educated within the Gulfport School District. He graduated from Thirty Third High School. Old Folk was a member and attended Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, Gulfport, under the leadership of Rev. C.J. Wilks, Sr. He gained employment with Merchant Marines where he worked for 28 years. While at Merchant Marines, Old Folk held the position of Chief Petty Officer.

Old Folk was a lively, outgoing and friendly man and he very seldom met a stranger. Prior to his illness, he was very active and civically engaged with his community. A great deal of Old Folk's community service and engagement was done through the Masonic Rectitude Lodge #323,  the Bennett Johnson Consistory, and the Karun Temple #48, all of which he was a member. When he was not volunteering, Old Folk enjoyed working at his shoe shinning business which was located on the first floor of the Hancock Bank building in downtown Gulfport. Shinning shoes proved to be more than just a job for Old Folk, it was the conduit by which he became friends with many individuals who entered the building. While he believed in hard work, Old Folk would always make time to have a good time. In his leisure, he enjoyed playing golf and spending time with friends and family and it was guaranteed to be a good time. Old Folk's Earthly absence will definitely be felt in the lives of those who knew and had a relationship with him. Nonetheless, it is the hope and prayers of his family that his life has proven to be a blessing to all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr Johnie Whittle and Ms. Rosie Bell Reed; and 14 siblings.

Old Folk is survived by two sons, Louis Whittle, Jr. and Christopher (Angela) Simmons; two daughters, Rose Barnes, Lori LeDay; three sisters, Joyce Whittle, Janice Barkum, and Angela Barkum; 16 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and a host of uncles, aunts, relatives and friends.