Wednesday, February 18, 2026 10:50 am

Flay Floyd Whitworth, 90, was born in York County in what is now Kings Mountain National Park on December 8th, 1935, to a farm that was full of family. His early childhood was spent on this farm, with his hands in the dirt and heart given to those around him. He loved getting his hands dirty, and this stayed with him; throughout his life, Floyd- cultivating his garden, cultivating his life, and cultivating his family- grew many great things.

He started growing his family with Juanita Dover when they married a day after Christmas in December 1954. Juanita was the love of his life, and they spent 67 years together before she passed. He often talked of the first time he saw her, and the instant he knew that she- beautiful and strong and lovely- was the one for him. They laughed and fussed and travelled and built a life together, staying in the North Carolina area that they loved and created their family in.

Floyd was a wise and intelligent man, kind and humble beyond belief. He was an avid reader, flying through any book he could find and sharing them with his family. He, like his wife, upheld the importance of reading and education, and inspired this belief in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, taking pride in their education and always encouraging them. He loved solving problems and puzzles, and could come up with a solution to any tangible or intangible problem you might encounter. Floyd always had the right words for the right person, the best hug when you needed one, and whiskers full of crumbs, in case anyone needed a snack later. The bulk of these crumbs were undoubtedly gathered at the Pancake House in Shelby, where he ate lunch every Sunday after church at Sulphur Springs Methodist Church. Floyd was also a former member of Allen Memorial Church, before joining Sulphur Springs with his friends and family. He spent 53 years at the Baxter Corporation before retiring as a plant manager in 2006, and took great pride in his work with the revolutionary Jacquard looms.

Floyd is preceded in death by his beloved wife Juanita Whitworth, his father Alonzo A. Whitworth and his mother Maggie L. Whitworth, brothers W. Max Whitworth, M. Paul Whitworth, and Lee Whitworth, as well as his sisters Gladys E. Whitworth, Eva Viola Whitworth Lutrick, his darling daughter Wanda E. Whitworth and his daring son Randy Flay Whitworth, and his special grandsons R. Sean Whitworth and Jason (Jay) F. Whitworth. He is survived by his treasured granddaughter Haley England and her husband Jonathan Tessneer, his adored granddaughters Madeline R. England Cooper (Dean Cooper), Delaney P. England (Arthur Coburn), Elizabeth M. England, and Caroline B. England, as well as his step great-grandsons Collin Tessneer and Graham Tessneer, and his adored sister Julia Edith Willingham, special sister-in-law Linda Bowen, and many beloved cousins and church family.

A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory at 2:00 PM Tuesday, February 17, 2026 with Pastor Priscilla Walker officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at Grover Cemetery.

Floyd was a brightly burning flame, a man full of love, kindness, tenderness, and care, and the love he created- the life he grew, the people he loved, the joy he shared- will never be forgotten.


Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhom.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family.