Dr. Michael L. Whitlow

Dr. Michael Lynn Whitlow, 75, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Dr. Whitlow was born on July 7, 1950, in Toccoa, Georgia, and spent his formative years in Lavonia, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn Broughten Whitlow and Ellen Pruitt Whitlow, and his sister, Ruth W. Mitcham.

A hardworking man with a calling to the medical profession, Dr. Whitlow graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1971 and earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1975. He later completed an internship at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and subsequently completed an internal medicine residency and nephrology fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia. In 1980, he entered private practice and thereafter founded Augusta Renal Physicians, which served the community faithfully for many years; he was later joined by his colleague and friend, Dr. Nadeem Afzal, and, in his final five years of practice, his son, Dr. Michael B. Whitlow. Over his 45 years of practice, Dr. Whitlow especially valued his loyal office staff and his many relationships with the greater Augusta medical community. Dr. Whitlow also devoted his time and expertise to Doctors Hospital, where he served as Chief of the Medical Staff, Chair of the Medical Ethics Committee, and moderator of the Board of Trustees.

Mike was a loyal fan of the University of Georgia Bulldogs and made countless memories attending games with his sons. Mike loved music, often found singing a hymn or humming a tune, and took special joy in his years as a trumpeter with the Augusta Concert Band.

Above all, Dr. Whitlow will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Dr. Cheryl Newman Whitlow, and their children, Dr. Michael Broughten Whitlow (Claire), of Augusta, John Allen Whitlow (Melissa), of Augusta, and Benjamin Russell Whitlow (Jacquelyn), of Washington, D.C. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Henry (Hank) Newman Whitlow, Margaret (Maggie) Broughten Whitlow, John Sullivan Whitlow, and Ward McClure Whitlow. He is also survived by many extended family members, including his nephew and nieces, David Mitcham, Taylor Finnegan (Dan), and Kai-Shin Newman, and siblings-in-law, L.D. Newman (Trish) and Russell Newman (Stephanie).

A man of deep faith, he was devoted to his church, First Baptist Church of Augusta, where he was a longtime member of the George Perkins Sunday School Class. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, with interment to follow immediately at Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers include Eric Osteen, Linsey Eckles, David Mitcham, Preston Key, Andrew Key, Dr. William Key, III, and Levi Hill. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Nadeem Afzal, Dr. David Lentz, Dr. Michael Powell, William Key, Jr., Mark Osteen, Dr. Frank McPhail, Dr. Jim Gainer, and Bill Thompson.

To watch the livestream of the service, please click here.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, Georgia 30909.