Emanuel Whiteside, Jr.

Emanuel Whiteside Junior was born on Saturday February 19, 1955 in Rutherfordton, North Carolina to Emanuel Senior and Betty Jean Wilson Whiteside, the oldest of eight children born to that union. He spent part of his early childhood with his paternal grandparents Preston and Nettie Jackson Whiteside, reuniting with his parents in Columbus Ohio to begin his education. He had very fond memories of his time living with his grandparents in Rutherfordton and would often reminisce about his experiences there. He went back, after graduation from High School in Columbus, to attend Isothermal Community College. While attending the school he played on their basketball team cementing his lifelong love of the sport.
After graduating from Isothermal with an associate’s degree, he returned to Columbus where he worked with his father, a brick mason contractor for several years. He then decided to continue his education at Columbus State Community college, got another associate degree and took a job working at the City of Columbus Water Department. While working there full time during the day, he went to school in the evenings at the Ohio State University, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1988. He earned the State of Ohio Professional Engineer designation (P.E.) and retired as a senior engineer in the Water Department Design Section with over 35 years of service in June 2019. He was very proud of the work he did there.
Emanuel was in a committed relationship for over thirty years with Suzanne Jackson, sharing a home with her the last several years of his life. He was a stable and positive influence on her niece and nephew, Brittany and Julian Combs who were raised by their Aunt. He attended many of their activities as they grew up like school and athletic events and graduations. He loved young people and was good with children.
Emanuel was a child at heart, and loved computer games, pickup basketball, watching sports and visiting parks. He had a canine buddy named BJ that he took almost everywhere and was heartbroken when he died. He loved music and studied piano as a child and played in his high school band’s horn section. He was easy going and very sociable, with people remarking after meeting him, how pleasant he was. He loved family gatherings, holiday dinners and cookouts.
As his illness progressed, he remained positive and continued to enjoy life and did not dwell on its increasing limitations. His final months were spent playing pc games on the internet with people from all over the world (particularly a group from the Philippines where he was an honored member), going to Scioto Downs and taking long car rides to places like the Hocking Hills.
Emanuel was raised in the church in the apostolic faith. He attended Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Columbus with his family as a child and participated in many church activities growing up. His parents were very active in the church and he had a thorough Christian upbringing. He believed in the Lord and that Jesus was his savior.
Emanuel was preceded in death by his Parents and his Grandparents (listed above). He was also preceded in death by younger siblings Yvette Michelle Whiteside, Bonita Whiteside Mosely and Desmond Whiteside all of whom passed within this last difficult year. He is survived by Brothers Darryl, Jamyl and Romell, Sister Cynthia, Aunts Mary and Virginia, Uncle Roy, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and a heartbroken partner and caregiver, Suzanne Jackson.

Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Saturday, April 2, 2022 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.

Interment at Eastlawn Cemetery.