It is often said that the good die so young and that it is not how long one lives, but how well. Both of these somewhat oxymoronic sayings can be appropriately attributed to the young man that I want to cite and give special tribute to, though he is no longer with us due to a recent automobile accident that claimed his young life. Jakell Oquendo Whittington’s brief life is truly worthy of talking about and sharing with others.

Jakell Oquendo Whittington, affectionately called “Kell”, was born on September 13, 1992, in Marion County to Bishop Jesse and Evangelist Verlon Whittington. He passed from this earthly life on July 21, 2014. Jakell was educated in the public schools of Dillon County, South Carolina and was a proud graduate of the Dillon High School (DHS) Class of 2011. The Lord placed a love for music inside of Jakell at an early age; this passion caused him to explore various types of music and instruments. His journey began behind the drums and then expanded to the electric keyboard, bass and lead guitars, piano, and organ. His thirst for knowledge and the passion to perfect the “Gifts” led him to seek further education at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where he pursued an education in Music (Piano Concentration). Because of the greatness that was within him, Jakell aspired to graduate in 2015; although it was sait that it couldn’t be done, his desire was to prove otherwise. Jakell was employed at the Partners in Ministry Summer Camp in Laurinburg, NC as a music instructor; there he planted a seed of love for music into the lives of approximately 75 students. He was a young man that didn’t mind sharing his gift with anyone that called upon him and he touched the lives of many people, both young and old. Jakell was a member of the Ark of Safety House of Prayer Ministry in Dillon, SC, under the leadership of his father and mother. His dedication to ministry was so great that he would often leave Columbia during the week, to come and play in services, not only at his home church, but for other ministries including various quartet groups. His love for God, music, and people was so intense that he would often spend countless hours at home or at the church rehearsing, because he wanted things to be right. Jakell often stated, that his sole purpose was to “Shift the Atmosphere” and when someone would compliment him, his answer would be “To God Be the Glory.” Not only did he have a love for music, but he loved his family very much and would spend time just joking around with them! (Excerpted from obituary)

A True Hero and
Role Model
We, in the African-American community of Dillon, have by far too few young men and women who are of heroic caliber. Regrettably, we hear too often of those who are into drugs, crimes, gangs, and mischievous acts. These negative and problematic types can blind us to the good ones who are in our midst and often go unnoticed, underappreciated, and lost in the shadows of the evil report and bad reputation of the others. On Sunday evening, July 27, 2014, a very hot and humid day, it was reported that the heat index was over 100 degrees. I watched in amazement as literally hundreds of people came early, some as early as two hours, to stand in line and endure the punishing heat and humidity in order to enter our Family Life Center to pay their last respects and celebrate the life of Jakell Oquendo Whittington. Stretching it beyond the legal limits, we can perhaps accommodate from 1150 to 1200 people with a cooling capacity to comfortably accommodate 800. However, on this day there were well over 1500 people crammed into the auditorium of our Family Life Center. I am not exaggerating when I present these numbers; there were people standing along the walls, seated in the hallays, and in three of our classrooms. Those who could not come in, because there was no more room to accommodate them, either left or were escorted to our main sanctuary. They remained there without the aid of a television/video monitor or sound of what was transpiring in the Family Life Center. Why had so many people, both young and old, and of various ethnicities, religious backgrounds, and socio-economic levels come from near and far to celebrate the life of this young man? In such a crowd, there will always be the curious seekers. Also, there were the expected speculators and spectators, who live for such sand and somber occasions. However, I am convinced that the overwhelming majority of the people who came out on this blistering, hot day did so to celebrate and give homage to a yong man who had so much to live for, yet whose life had been so swiftly taken. I believe they came out as a farewell gesture to a very gifted young man who had given so much of himself through his time, talent, and treasure to do many others as their presence gave unequivocal witness. I as moved by remarks of all who spoke of him on this day, like his high school mentors, college instructors, and special friends, and relatives. I only knew Kell indirectly through my son, who considered him a friend and of course, his father, Bishop Jesse Whittington. Nevertheless, listening to them enlightened me, and I quickly learned that Kell was not an ordinary young man who had talent and ambitions; he was an exceptional young man who had a zest for life, the God’s kind of life. He was the type of son who many parents pray to rear.
He was the type of brother many siblings long to have. He was the type of friend who stuck closer than a brother. He was the type of student who many professors and teachers enjoy teaching. He was the type of young man who the African-American community and every community, so far as I am concerned, so desperately need.
He was a classy dresser who had charm, good looks, and swag. He was a respectful young man, a “Yes, Ma’am” and “No, Sir” fellow, who possessed an almost perfect blend within his personality to be deadly serious and hilariously comical, depending on the event or place. One of my most used definitions of the word hero is “a man or boy admired for his achievements and noble qualities.”
In light of this and to all of us who knew and loved him, family and friends from near and far, Jakell Oquendo Whittington was a true hero whose life, legacy, and achievements will never die in our hearts and memories, but will live on until that great gathering beyond the sky …