July 1, 1934 - July 8, 2022
Shirley Whitworth of Mabelvale, AR, 88, passed away July 8, 2022. She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Raymond Whitworth; parents, Celvie and Mamie Dobbs; brothers, Ernest, Jim and Hugo Dobbs and sisters, Hazel Ford, Edna Gordon and Dorthea Dobbs.
She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Mike (Lisa) Whitworth and Mark Whitworth; her daughters, Kathy (Bill) Boyte and Karen (Gene) Hodges; grandchildren, Eric Perez, Alicia Brown (Garrett), Lance Hodges (Ryan), Kristen Hodges and Brittney Boyte; great-grandchildren, Chloe Whitworth, Matthew Whitworth, Aubrey Brown, Johnny Perez, Brock Perez, Dakota Christian-Hodges, Mason Hodges, Gwyneth Hodges; her sister, Mamie Carmody of Allen, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.
After 24 years of dedicated service, Shirley retired from AT&T (formerly Teletype) in 1993. Retirement was the beginning of many fun-filled trips to Branson with Raymond and Patsy and Jimmy Smithpeters. Raymond and Shirley loved their trips with Patsy and Jimmy and she spoke of them often. Shirley took a couple of trips with her daughters to Boston, MA , and Savanna, GA with Pasty and Cyndi Loe. She also traveled to Florida with Lisa, Alicia, Chloe and others, where she truly enjoyed relaxing on the beach under an umbrella, being spoiled by her daughter-in-law and grandchildren.
Her last big adventure was a week-end camping trip with Karen and Mark to Lake Greeson, where they camped overnight in tents and cooked out over an open fire. Reminiscent of the family vacations every summer that included several aunts, uncles and cousins camping out for two weeks swimming, fishing, skiing and hiking, she had a great time. And yes, Shirley could ski. There wasn't much Shirley couldn't do, from raising a garden to driving a pallet jack, to teaching her kids to drive and being a great example of parenting for her children to follow. That didn't mean she didn't pull the grandmother (or Gan, as she was called) card if she thought the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were being treated too strictly. She spoke her mind, but she was never rude. She was a wonderful woman, a great mother and a fantastic grandmother.
In addition to camping and travel, Shirley was a big sports fan, being particularly fond of NASCAR, Arkansas Razorbacks football, basketball and baseball. She also loved the Pittsburg Steelers and watched many games with Mark. And we learned to not call during one of these games because she needed to be cheering on her team.
She and Raymond were founding members of Calvary Church of the Nazarene, where she served on the Sunday School Board and the Church Board at various times over the years. She volunteered in many positions, from greeter to counter to missionary president and also took her turn in the church nursery.
In recent years, she didn't get out much, but she stayed in contact with her family and friends on the phone. She spoke frequently with her sister, Mamie; her long-time friend from work, Floy Shepherd; her travel buddy and niece Patsy; her niece Judy; her church buddies; Pauline Crossland; honorary daughter, Melanie Abundis and many, many others.
Pallbearers will be Eric Perez, Matthew Whitworth, Gene Hodges, Lance Hodges, Mason Hodges and Garrett Brown. Honorary pallbearer is Bill Boyte.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 6-8 pm at Roller Drummond Southwest Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR and Service, Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 11:30 am. Interment will be at 1:00 pm at Pine Crest Memorial Park, 7401 Hwy. 5, Alexander, AR. The full obituary can be accessed at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.
Based on forecast temperatures, the family suggests wearing cool and comfortable clothing. No suits for us.
In lieu of flowers, if you so choose, you may donate to the Calvary Church of the Nazarene ROC Building Fund, 10325 W. 36th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204; or the Saline County Humane Society, 7600 Bauxite Hwy., Bauxite, AR 72011. Shirley was a big proponent of having your cats and dogs spayed or neutered after having several dogs dumped on her property resulting in too many puppies to help.
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20 Condolence(s)
Wanda Yarbrough
Thursday, July 21, 2022
My deepest sympathies go out to the Whitworth family. Mrs. Whitworth was was a lovely lady and a wonderful neighbor for the thirty plus years we have lived by her. I hated when our neighborhood Harvest Foods closed because often that is where Mrs. Whitworth and I, along with many other neighbors would not only shop, but stop and visit with each other. We had many conversations over the years, quite a few were just neighbors standing talking in the yard. The store closed, we grew older, and many of our other neighbors came and went. Unfortunately, over the recent years I rarely saw Mrs. Whitworth, but I was really happy that Mark was with her. I know Mark’s presence provided a sense of comfort and safety. Plus she always loved to be with her children. I know she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Whitworth family.
Mildred Luckadue Grant
Thursday, July 14, 2022
I have wonderful memories of Shirley. Such a sweet yet fun loving person.
Condolences to The Family.
Teresa Griffin
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
My deepest condolences to all the family.
I 'm Mark's co-worker and I met his mom on the parking lot and I was joking with her about how could she put up with Mark and she just laughed and smiled real big.
vicki McBride
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
I will always remember the great times with the Whitworth family both at their house and at the lake. We spent many summers like that. Raymond walked me down the isle when i got married being the closes I had to a father. Shirley was a kind and giving person and I know her family is hurting. My thoughts are with you. Heaven got a wonderful person.
Michele Lynn Whitworth
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
My heart is shattered with grief! How do you describe the best mother-in-law?
The last time Shirley and I spoke, she hugged me, and told me that I would always be family, and always be a part of the Whitworth family.
She was right, when I lost my father, every single Whitworth was there, and stood by my side that day.
I will never forget the love that Shirley and Raymond, and the entire Whitworth family, has shown me, time after time!
I grieve with you, my family..….and love you all, beyond words!!!
ALL MY LOVE 💕,
Michele Whitworth
cynthia loe
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
The fondest memories I have of my childhood and growing up always involved my Aunt Shirley's family in some way. There were summers at the lake where we swam, went for boat rides, and got ice cream at Dunlap's, We had a very memorable trip to Disney World in Florida where we blew out tires on a rented van. Everybody in that van was very grateful that Uncle Raymond was driving! We had great trips to Silver Dollar City and Opryland. Then as an adult I got to spend some wonderful weeks in Boston and Savannah with my mom Patsy, my Aunt Shirley, and cousins Kathy and Karen. Truly those were two of the most fun-filled weeks of my life that I will forever cherish. The laughter from those 2 trips have carried me through the past few days of grieving the loss of Aunt Shirley. I can still hear her saying "Well girrrrrl!"
Whitworth's, we love y'all and are so glad you belong to us!
Love,
Cindy Loe
Ann Baxter
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Shirley was a beautiful person inside and out. Prayers for her family because she will be missed.
Meagan & Hilton
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Matthew, you’ve been in our thoughts daily as soon as we learned about the passing. I’m praying for better day’s ahead sweet kiddo. Please let us know what we can do for you. Meagan
Manuel & Lynn Castleberry
Monday, July 11, 2022
Our deepest sympathy. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Sharon McDonald Gray
Monday, July 11, 2022
Our sympathy and loving prayers to the family. We have many memories with Mark in our home or going to Church Camp with my 4 boys... 1 more didn’t matter. We are blessed to treasure Shirley & Raymond’s friendship during our years together at Calvary Nazarene church.
Alice Wright
Monday, July 11, 2022
My condolences to the family. Although I never had the honor of meeting Ms. Whitworth, I couldn't help but smile while reading the obituary, which painted a picture of a fun-loving, no nonsense, salt of the earth woman who loved and was loved by her family and friends. My God and the memories of the time you shared bring you comfort.
Pam Schock
Monday, July 11, 2022
Shirley was such a kind person. I loved her gentle nature, sweet voice and sparkling blue eyes.
I am so sorry for your loss. Love you Whitworth Family.
Angela Denise Washington
Monday, July 11, 2022
I am Kathy coworker. I am praying for the family. My condolences to each of you.
John Beasley
Monday, July 11, 2022
My humblest condolences to the family.
Mamie Carmody & Sandy Ray
Monday, July 11, 2022
My sweet, soft spoken Aunt Shirley will be greatly missed. Especially by my mother, Mamie Carmody, who had a conversation with her almost daily.
We, the Texas arm of the family, wish we could be there but health and age keep us close to home.
DIANE OLIVER GAHR
Sunday, July 10, 2022
To me she was Momma Shirley that is what I called her all the years of spending nights at their house while I ran around with Kathy and Karen. We always had great times and I have great memories of when we were young. The Heavens have definately gained and Angel in Shirley. She will be truly missed and I send my sympathy to the Whitworth family in this time of loss.
Jon ford
Sunday, July 10, 2022
My deepest condolences to the family.
Jim Bob and Sherrise Stephens
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Shirley was always kind and gracious and will be missed! We love you all. Jim Bob and Sherrise
Tonya Quire Holcomb
Sunday, July 10, 2022
My heart felt the loss of this sweet lady. My parents lived across the street from Raymond and Shirley, and next door to the Garrett's and Kyzer's. Those 3 families influenced me and led me towards the most important part of my life...my relationship with Jesus Christ.
I have very fond memories of Shirley. She was very kind. One memory: I walked onto the car port of their house. The back door was open and Shirley was standing in the kitchen. She had baked some cookies and invited me in. When I asked where Kathy was, she offered me a cookie and pointed me towards the living room. Her kitchen always smelled so good! Now that I think about it, I wonder if THAT'S the reason I liked going to the back door.
Another memory: I remember sitting on curb, Raymond's doing yard work (they had the prettiest yard on the neighborhood), and Kathy and I are talking. She told me her momma was going to have a baby, I ran to Shirley to ask if it was true. When she confirmed it, I told her I thought only young girls could have babies. She laughed and hugged me, squeezing my shoulders towards her side.
Before he passed away, Raymond Whitworth served as a pallbearer for my daddy's funeral. My daddy thought a lot of the Whitworths.
Although we moved away and lost contact with the families on Pine Cone, I reconnected with some of them on Facebook not long ago. It saddened me deeply to hear that Kit had passed. My heart felt the news of Shirley's passing, too.
On behalf of my family, to the Whitworth family and their dear friends, I pray your memories and knowing, without a doubt, that she's in Heaven will help all of you. God bless you.
Alice A. Elms
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Shirley was a very special lady who accepted me in her group of friends several years ago, and remained a special friend. She will be missed by her children, grandkids and friends. She is now home with Raymond, and other family that went before her. My thoughts are with her children.