Ray Whitson

Ray Whitson, age 75, of Taylorsville passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Catawba Valley Medical Center from complications of lung cancer. Born March 6, 1944 in Baltimore, MD to the late Robert (Bob) Whitson and Violet Nora Gillis Whitson. Ray was the owner and operator of Hickory Heritage Furniture until April 2010 and a member at Liledoun Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Glenda Byrd Whitson of the home; daughter Col. Kimberly Sencindiver USAF and grandson Matthew Sencindiver of Kearneysville, WV; daughter Renee L. Whitson & spouse W. Kevin Parsons, grandson Kristopher Parsons & wife Candice Parsons, and great-granddaughter Kinsley Jill Parsons of Lenoir, NC; daughter Michelle Whitson Brown & husband John Wayne Brown, Jr.; granddaughter Stephanie Leigh-Brown Jowers & husband Adrian Paul Jowers; and granddaughter Anita Michelle Brown of Taylorsville, NC; Surviving siblings Ralph Whitson & wife Gladys Whitson of Ft. Myers, FL; Ruth W. Mosley & husband Julian Mosley of Perry Hall, MD; Ruby W. Letterman of Burnsville, NC; Rose W. Walsh & husband Jay Walsh of Elizabethton, TN; Bill Whitson & wife Ann W. Whitson of Taylorsville, NC; Rita W. Honeycutt of Burnsville, NC; twenty-six nieces and nephews; and an untold number of great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, and by his brothers Walter Whitson, just days old; Raymond Whitson, just days old; Howard Whitson, stillborn; Rassie Whitson, 78 yrs. old; and Robert Whitson, 81 yrs. old.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm at Liledoun Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 4:00 pm with the Rev. Jason Payne and Rev. Mark Bumgarner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Crossroads Rescue Mission in Shelby, NC.