Virginia Lucille "Cille" Whitehead

February 16, 1928 – October 2025

Virginia Lucille “Cille” Whitehead, age 97, of Carterville, Illinois, passed away. She was born February 16, 1928, in Carterville, Illinois, at her grandmother’s home. She was the daughter of Carl and Clara (Copher) Radford.

Cille was a 1946 graduate of Herrin High School, having first attended Whittier Elementary. Over the years, she worked in several industries including Sangamo, Maytag, and Universal Match, and also served as a supervisor in the ammunition factory, General Dynamic, during her working years. She was known for her strong work ethic and dedication throughout her career.

In 1948, Cille married Claude Howell, sharing 22 years of marriage until his passing in 1970. In 1974, she married William “Bill” Whitehead, and together they shared 40 wonderful years until his death in 2014.

Cille was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Claude Howell and William Whitehead; her son Larry Gene Howell; siblings Bernadine (Rue) Jenning, Maralee (Bob) Swerman, and Donald (Ray Dean) Radford; her maternal grandparents Oran and Altha Copher; and Bill’s sons Jerry and Dale Whitehead.

Survivors include her son Marvin (Carolyn) Howell; daughter-in-law Dona Howell; grandchildren Tony (Laura) Howell, Becky Howell (Adam Berry) Howell, and Matthew (Ashley Walker) Howell; great-grandchild Clara Bowe; as well as Bill’s children Gale (Lindell) Stover, Gene (Barb) Whitehead, and Jimmy (Joanie) Whitehead, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild who all loved her dearly.

Cille accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age 13 and was a lifelong member of the Baptist faith. She had been a member of Lone Oak Baptist Church, Energy Baptist Church, and from 1974 to the present, a faithful member of Spillertown Baptist Church. Her grandfather was a Baptist circuit preacher, and she carried on that legacy of faith by teaching Sunday School and serving her church family with devotion.

Her favorite moments were spent on the family farm in Spillertown with her husband Bill—feeding the cows, horses, cats, and chickens, and enjoying the peaceful rhythm of country life. She loved her family deeply and lived her life with kindness, humility, and faith.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Spillertown Baptist Church located at 110 N. Spillertown Road in Marion with visitation from 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 10:30, with Pastor Steve Shea officiating. Interment will follow beside her husband Bill at New Salem Cemetery in Creal Springs.

Memorial donations may be made to Spillertown Baptist Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home under the direction of Binkley-Ross. Please visit www.binkleyross.com to leave online condolences.