01/09/2026
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Thomas Bennett Whitehead, MD
94, Columbia
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Columbia for Thomas Bennett Whitehead, M.D., 94, of Columbia, who passed away Friday, January 9, 2026 surrounded by family at his residence. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Brett Frazier, Rev. Tom Thurman, and Rev. J.T. Champion will officiate the services. Aaron McKenzie, Suzy Adams, and Dana Monk will provide special music.
The Whitehead family will receive guests on Monday night from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at Hathorn Funeral Home, and again on Tuesday morning from 9:00 am up until the hour of service at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Columbia.
Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, physician, and servant leader. He was born December 19, 1931, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Thomas Zollicoffer Whitehead and Garner Walker Whitehead. He grew up in Laurel, Mississippi where his faith took root at First Baptist Church. At the age of 11, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, a decision he often described as the most important of his life and one that guided every season that followed.
A man of deep discipline and character, he was an Eagle Scout and active in the Royal Ambassadors program, where he first sensed a calling to medicine and service. He graduated from George S. Gardner High School, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and later received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War before completing his medical internship at Mobile County Hospital.
In July of 1958, Tom met Martha, the love of his life, at Lake Walkaway. They married later that year and shared 67 years together.
He practiced medicine for over 45 years, most notably in Columbia, Mississippi, where he helped establish the Family Clinic in 1969, which later became affiliated with Hattiesburg Clinic. During his many years of practice, he served several terms as Chief of Staff at Marion County Hospital. Known for his integrity and tireless care for patients, he viewed medicine not as a career but as a calling. His dedication to the community extended far beyond his practice. He served as a Director of the March of Dimes, Marion County Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society. He also chaired countywide health initiatives, directed a drive to obtain an artificial kidney unit for the county, supported school athletics as a team physician, and regularly volunteered for local needs and mission trips, including medical missions in Honduras.
In recognition of his lasting impact on Columbia and Marion County, Dr. Whitehead was named Citizen of the Year in 2004 – an honor that reflected decades of quiet service, leadership, and generosity. He was a member of First Families of Mississippi and his great, great, great grandfather, Rev. William W. Whitehead was one of six men who voted to establish the city of Columbia in 1811. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Columbia, he served faithfully as a deacon having served several terms as chairman, Sunday School teacher, choir member, committee chairman, Director of the Senior Adult Sunday School Department and county-wide chairman of the Jesus video project. He was a man of prayer, a lifelong tither, and a steady servant who believed deeply in living out his faith through action.
Tom found joy in playing the French horn, fishing, gardening, tennis, and time spent with his family. Above all, he treasured being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Martha Whitehead; his children, Kary Garner Whitehead, M.D. (Beth) of Meridian, Wesley Thomas Whitehead (Ryan) of Madison, Mamie Whitehead Williams (Jason) of Starkville; twelve grandchildren, Will Whitehead of Atlanta, Georgia, Walker Whitehead of Nashville, Tennessee, Mary Claire Martin (Trammell) of Madison, Elizabeth Woods (Trey) of Madison, Katherine Lum (Douglas) of Madison, Sara Kelly (Cade) of Norfolk, Virginia, Mary Kate Guest of Starkville, Parker Guest of Jackson, Ben Guest of Jackson, Charlie Guest of Starkville, Jacey Curington (Garner) of Mobile, Alabama, and Drew Williams of Starkville; three great-grandchildren; James, Graham, & Eleanor Woods of Madison; one sister, Jane Whitehead White of Ashville, North Carolina; and a number of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Dr. Whitehead often said his life had been abundantly filled with blessings. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, humility, and love - a life lived fully in devotion to God, family, and community.
Honored to carry Dr. Whitehead to his final place of rest, his grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Columbia.
Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at hathornfuneralhome.com.
