New Bethel Baptist Church

Otelia Wainwright McIntyre Whitaker
First Lady & Minister of Music

Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, educator, musician, and our First Lady, Otelia Whitaker has served as Minister of Music since 1964 assisting her husband, Bishop James M. Whitaker, in ministry.  A gifted musician, she started in music at the age of four and plays both the piano and organ.  Mrs. Whitaker received a BS in music from Norfolk State University.  She was employed as a music teacher in the Portsmouth and Newport News Public School systems.  She became certified in elementary education and taught music and fourth grade unitl she retired in 1995.