Obituary of Jacqueline Whitaker-Royal

Jacqueline Whitaker-Royal, age 63, was born on November 12, 1958, and entered eternal rest on February 4, 2022, after a lengthy illness. She was the daughter of the late Cain and Helen Whitaker. Jackie was educated and graduated from Western High School in 1976, the Community College of Baltimore in 1980, where she obtained an A.A degree in General Education and Notre Dame of Maryland University in 1983, where is obtained a B.A degree in Mass Communications. Jackie was a customer service professional who excelled in operation efficiencies, data entry, call center customer resolution and office analytics. She worked at Global Payments, Athena Consulting, Staffing Services Agencies, and finally, at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she was described as an award-winning team builder. Jackie's partnership with Stephen, of more than 44 years, culminating in marriage on December 7, 2007, produced two daughters- Brittany Candice and Stephanie Nichole Royal, whom she affectionately referred to as "my girls." Jackie cherished family and friends, enjoying friendships over many decades. Reflections from Steve, Brittany, Stephanie and nephew, Kory, describe Jackie as kindhearted, easy going, thoughtful, and corny. Jackie enjoyed the simple things in life - holiday family gatherings, studying history, fashion (especially shoes and hats), westerns, movies, and entertainment, which explains why she selected mass communications as her college major. Her family believed that if she was a contestant on a trivia game show, she would have won. Jackie was a family unifier. She was soft spoken but could turn up the volume when necessary. She had a love for lighthouses, symbolic of the illumination of her character and how she emitted light on all of life's trials and tribulations and guided her family back to being cohesive, caring, loving and unified (Brittany, Stephanie, Kory). Jacqueline Whitaker-Royal is proceeded in death by Cain Whitaker (father), Helen Mae Whitaker (mother), Gustella Bond (sister), and Cain M. Whitaker (brother). She is survived by her husband Stephen Royal, Brittany Candice Royal, (daughter) Stephanie Nicole Royal, (daughter), Collin Alexander Royal, (grandson) Dehavilland Whitaker, (sister) four sisters-in- law, Denise Royal, Malinda Royal, Lorena Royal, and Michelle Sample, five brothers-in-law, Augustus R. Bond Sr., Damon Royal, Paul Royal, Timothy Royal, Willie Spease, and a host of nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great nieces, cousins, and friends. Funeral rites will be conducted through the East location of Vaughn Greene Funeral Services (4905 York Rd. 21212). The public viewing will be Monday, February 28, 2022, 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Funeral ceremony will take place Tuesday, March 1, 2022, wake will begin at 10:30 AM with service to follow at 11:00 AM. The interment will take place at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery.