Rev. Y. Whitfield who was the ministerial father of White River Presbytery died at Pineville, Ark., December 21.

He was 82.

He began his ministry in 1916 in White River Presbytery and served as a pastor and leader of churches and as a leader of the presbytery for forty years. For many years he was stated clerk of the presbytery. In 1951 he retired from the ministry due to ill health. (Tribute next week.)

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, January 13, 1959, page 4]

Rev. Young Whitfield
White River Presbytery

Rev. Young Whitfield of Pineville, Ark., who was known as the "father of White River Presbytery," died December 21 at the age of 82.

Funeral services were conducted at the Pineville church by Dr. Thomas H. Campbell, president of the Seminary, assisted by Rev. Remmel Rowden, Rev. G. D. Short, and Rev. Neill Hudson, all of White River Presbytery. Interment was in the Pineville cemetery.

Rev. Whitfield was converted and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church early in life. He began his ministry as a pastor in White River Presbytery in 1916 and served as pastor and one of the leaders in the presbytery for 40 years. He attended every meeting of the presbytery for 40 consecutive years. He was one time moderator of Arkansas Synod. He retired as a minister in 1951 because of ill health.

He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, Gracie. Five sons survive: Herman and Howard of Mountain View, Ark.; Willie of Wichita, Kan., who is an elder in the CP church there; Asa of Little Rock, Ark., and Herron of Pineville, an elder in the CP church there and stated clerk of White River Presbytery.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, January 20, 1959, page 15]