Alton Whitley

WILSON - Alton Lee Whitley, 84, died Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at home surrounded by family.

Funeral, Friday, 11 AM, Evansdale United Methodist Church, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.

Alton Lee Whitley was born August 7, 1930 in Wilson. He was the youngest son of eight children of Millard Philmore and Mary Lee Whitley. After graduating from Charles L. Coon High School in 1948, Mr. Whitley married his high school sweetheart, Mary Boswell, on March 4, 1950. Alton and Mary were married for 62 years until her passing on February 17, 2012.

After graduating from high school, Alton continued the family tradition of farming, primarily tobacco. In addition to farming, he also took a job in the tobacco industry working part-time as a foreman for James I. Miler Tobacco Company. Alton farmed until the mid 1960's. He then went to work full-time for Export Leaf Tobacco Company, a division of British American Tobacco Company where he rose from part-time foreman to Plant and Branch Manager and Vice President in 1979. His responsibilities included managing the Wilson operations as well as overseeing all operations of the company in the Carolinas. Mr. Whitley was honored to be the only United States executive invited to attend British American Tobacco Company's International Senior Management School held in London, England. Mr. Whitley retired in 1990 at the age of 60.

Mr. Whitley was an active member of Evansdale United Methodist Church his entire life where he served on the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees, was a member of the choir for many years and was active in the United Methodist Men.

When not working, Alton enjoyed gardening, quail hunting, growing pecans and watching his favorite team - the UNC Tar Heels.

Mr. Whitley was most proud of his family. He loved his wife and children dearly and especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Whitley is survived by his children; Mary Jo and Lane Walter of Lumberton, Will and Margo Whitley of Charlotte, Cindy and Brooks Bass of the home and Ricky Whitley of Wilson; several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; sisters, Louise Broome and Dorothy Boyette of Wilson, Eleanor Bray of Greensboro, and brother Randolph Whitley of Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to Evansdale United Methodist Church, 4334 Evansdale Road, Wilson, NC 27893-7657.