Tommy K Whitley

Tommy Keith Whitley, 95, of Frog Pond, North Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family. Born November 1, 1930, Tommy was a lifelong native of Oakboro and was born and raised in the Ridgecrest community.

Tommy was a lifelong and faithful member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where his faith and his church family remained an important part of his life throughout the years.

A proud veteran, Tommy honorably served four years in the United States Navy. Following his military service, he dedicated 42 years of his life to Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, where he built a long and respected career before retiring.

Tommy’s greatest accomplishment, however, was the life and family he built with the love of his life, Avinelle “Allie” Whitley (Barbee). The two were married on October 3, 1954, and shared 72 wonderful years of marriage. After retirement, Tommy and Allie loved traveling together and making memories wherever their adventures took them. Their love and devotion to one another were an inspiration to their family and everyone who knew them.

Tommy was a man who found joy in the simple things in life. He was a devoted fan of the Carolina Tar Heels and the Carolina Panthers, and he loved nothing more than spending time fishing. He also enjoyed singing with the Singing Americans, line dancing, and attending the Oakboro Fourth of July celebrations-an event that held a special place in his heart.

And if you knew Tommy, you knew there was always one thing close at hand: his Diet Cherry Lemon Sundrop. His family would lovingly say that his blood ran red, mainly because of all that Sundrop he drank over the years.

Tommy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, hard work, faith, and countless memories that will live on for generations.

The family will receive friends from 1:30pm - 2:45pm on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. The Funeral service will follow at 3pm at the church. Burial will take place at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery,17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro, NC 28129.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Avinelle “Allie” Whitley; his sons, Keith Whitley (Lisa) and Bruce Whitley (Lisa); his grandchildren, Seth Whitley (Jennifer), Michael Whitley (Leslie), CJ Whitley (Elizabeth), Caitlin Austin (Charles), Bailey Williams (Bobby), and Madison Graves (Joseph); his great-grandchildren, Judah and Lucas Whitley, Elijah and Tucker Whitley, Liam Barbee, Riley, Bryson, Jonas and Ezra Whitley, Cayden, Cate and Charleigh Austin, Peyton, Paxton and Preston Williams, and Amelia, Jax and Hallie Graves; and his sister, Edna Tucker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Temple and Bedie Whitley, and his siblings, Truly Burris, Virginia Eudy, Pauline Almond, Truet Whitley, and Seymore Whitley.

Tommy’s 95 years were filled with faith, family, service, hard work, music, laughter, travel, and love. He leaves behind a family who will forever carry his stories, his lessons, his humor, and his love in their hearts.

Though he may no longer be sitting beside his beloved Allie, cheering for the Tar Heels, casting a fishing line, singing a song, dancing a line, or enjoying an ice-cold Diet Cherry Lemon Sundrop, his memory will remain alive in all who were blessed to know him.

A life well lived. A love that lasted 72 years. A legacy that will last forever. Rest peacefully, Tommy. You will be deeply loved and missed.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Tillery Compassionate Care for their love and care for Tommy the last 5 years. What a blessing all of the staff has been to our family.