Cheryl Gotay Whitmer

Cheryl Gotay Whitmer, age 61, of Gainesville, Georgia passed away peacefully on April 3, 2014, surrounded by her family, following an extended illness.


A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel. The Reverend Becky Brannon will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.


Cheryl grew up in Aiken, S.C. and graduated from The University of South Carolina. However she became an avid Bulldogs fan when she moved to Gainesville in 1975. She was a certified medical technician and worked in a lab and managed a medical practice. She was devoted to her boys, attended all their activities and took them on skiing trips and white water rafting on the Snake River in Utah, and was proud of their accomplishments. She was active in the Crabapple Garden Club and loved flower arranging which she did frequently at her Grace Episcopal Church. Everyone who ever met Cheryl loved her.

Cheryl is survived by her husband, Jim Whitmer, of Gainesville, her sons Trent Gotay and Kevin Gotay, both of Atlanta; her mother Lillian Symonds and brother Chris, both of Aiken, South Carolina; also, Jim's daughter Meredith Braham and her family Brian and their children Wesley and Caroline, who were Cheryl's only grandchildren, all of Gainesville. She was predeceased by her father Albert Symonds, Sr. and her brother Albert Symonds, JR., both of Aiken.


In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to your favorite charity in Cheryl's honor.


Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia, 770-297-6200. Online condolences may be expressed at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.