James Phillip "Doorknob" Whitlock, son of the late James Whitlock and Georgia Ann Kendrick, was born on November 24, 1951, in Christian County, Kentucky.

Early in life, James accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined the First Street Baptist Church.

"Doorknob", as he was affectionately called, was a self-employed janitorial contractor. In his spare time, he enjoyed dancing, listening to music, playing cards, watching basketball games, westerns, and spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, George Kendrick; his sisters, Mary Paul and Dorothy Kendrick; and his two stepchildren, Demetric George and Adriann George.

On Friday, March 13, 2026, James departed from this life. He leaves to mourn his passing, Alexis Whitlock, Manolitus Dionne (Quentin) Williams, Consuelo Johnson, Lori Cager, Caren Bumpus, DeMarcus George, Jamelia Simms, and Tiesha Dillard; 14 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, a host of other relatives and friends: a devoted companion, Annie Bell George.