Horace E. Whitehead Jr., 93, departed from this life to live in his eternal home on Tuesday, September 17.
Whitehead, a lifelong resident of Henry County was born on November 25, 1930, into the loving care of parents, the late Horace Edward Sr. and Lena Mae Presson Whitehead. He grew up in the Clifty community and graduated from E. W. Grove High School in 1949. He married the former Betty Wrather on June 28, 1958.
Whitehead worked at Holley Carburetor for 37 years as a general manager in machinery. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Maudie Odelle Finch. He is survived by a niece, Linda Finch (Bill) Moody of Paris; great-niece, Candise (Rusty) Farmer of Springville, and a great-nephew, Jon Paul (Erin) Moody of Paris.
Whitehead was a member of the Paris Masonic Lodge #108, Paris Chapter Royal Arch #129, Paris Counsel #92, Paris Commandry #16, Scottish Rite Mason, and Shiner. He served as a former Worshipful Master, head of the chapter, counsel, and commandry, and he was a member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor. Whitehead held in high regard his civic positions; however, he treasured mostly his spiritual condition as that of a Christian, being that he placed his trust in Christ as a young boy. Whitehead is a member of New Hope Baptist Church, where he attended since his birth.
Pallbearers will include Roy Paschall, Tom Wynn, Heath Lovelace, Jimmy Tubbs, Jon Paul Moody, and Rusty Farmer, with honorary pallbearers being Dan Collins, Jim Baker, Marvin and Jane Reid, and the New Hope Baptist Church Fellowship. Visitation will be at McEvoy Funeral Home in Paris on Friday from 11-1:00 with services to follow. New Hope Baptist Pastor Glynn Orr will officiate.
Memorials may be sent to the St. Louis Shriner’s Children Hospital, 4400 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110.