Carolyn Whitworth Denley, 78, entered into her heavenly home from Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. Born October 31, 1939, in Calhoun City, she was the daughter of Bonner and Mae Goodson Whitworth. She was a member of New Gauley Freewill Baptist Church.<--more-->
She was married to Gilbert Alvin Denley, Sr. for over 50 years before his passing in 2010, and together they raised five wonderful children. She graduated from Calhoun City High School in 1957, and went on to Itawamba Community College to pursue a business degree. She retired from Kellwood Co. in Calhoun City after 43 years of service. She was well known for her caring heart and giving soul. Her gracious work with the children of Calhoun County earned her recognition and an honorary award from Excel. In her free time she enjoyed going places with friends. One popular destination was Branson, Mo. Each time she got home she said, “I ain’t never going back!”, only to return again. Her family will always remember the time they were “run out” of Graceland after she was caught sneaking around the back of the pool trying to find Elvis. She also taught line-dancing years ago on Thursday nights at the American Legion. Above all, the most important thing in her life was her family. She cherished the time spent with the kids and grandkids, and her memory will live on forever in their hearts.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. at Pryor Funeral Home with Bro. Roger Reeder, Bro. Mike Smith, and Bro. Jimmy Vance will be officiating. There will be a visitation from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Big Creek.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jordan Denley, Jonathan Denley, Jon Garrett Denley, Coley Denley, Dan Griffith, and J.B. Long. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Hamblin, Catlin Doler, Jody Doler, Kevin Doler, and Barney Wade.
She leaves behind a daughter, Laura (Dan) Griffith, Amory; sons, Gilbert (Glenda) Denley, Calhoun City; Garry (Cindy) Denley, Horn Lake; Michael (Laurie) Denley and Heath Denley both of Big Creek; sisters, Linda Doler, Calhoun City and Colleen Clark, Houston; grandchildren, Chris (Beth) Denley, Hernando; Coley (Heather) Denley, Hernando; Jonathan (Machele) Denley, Calhoun City; Jordan Denley, Vardaman; Lauren Denley (J.B.) Long, Tupelo; Jon Garrett Denley, Big Creek; Sydney and Reese Griffith, both of Amory; great-grandchildren, Jemma, Layney, Williamy, Hudson, Hadley, Houston, Ainsley and Anniston Denley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Gilbert Alvin Denley, Sr.
Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at pryorfuneralhome.com