Robert was born in Eva, AL, on October 10, 1929, to Thomas Jackson Whitworth and Lela Buckelew Whitworth, the youngest of five children. Growing up in Eva, he worked on his Daddy’s farm with his three brothers and sister.
He moved his family to Birmingham, AL in the 1950s, where he worked for Foremost Dairies and attended night school where he studied refrigeration and engineering related courses. He worked for Hormel for a brief period while still in Birmingham. In 1964, they moved to Florence, AL, living there for 10 years where he worked as a maintenance engineer for Jessie Jewel, Bama Meats and Green Giant. In 1974 the family moved to Enterprise, AL, where Robert rose to the position of Plant Engineer at the ConAgra poultry plant. During his time at ConAgra, he expanded and redesigned the plant, streamlining the existing chicken processing procedures to be more efficient and productive. Despite his many outstanding and innovative achievements, when asked what he did he humbly referred to himself as the Head Chicken Plucker. He retired from ConAgra Poultry in 1991. After 38 years in Enterprise, he moved to Huntsville, AL in 2012.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 43 years, Evelyn Fowler Whitworth, brothers Sam, Odis and James and sister Velma Freeman.
He is survived by his three daughters, Linda Dale Ellis, Huntsville, AL, Patricia Jean Lauro, Killen, AL, and Shelia (Tim) Noel, Huntsville, AL; five grandchildren, Kimberlei Key, Robert Allen (Danielle Cameron), Randall Allen (Lesleigh), Denny Ellis, Jr., and Wesley Ellis (Lisa Gray), two step granddaughters, Pam Godboldt and Jennifer Godboldt, 17 great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Service will be on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home, Cullman, AL, with the Reverend Victor Massey, pastor, of Life Church Huntsville, AL, officiating. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. with service following at 12 p.m. Burial will be at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Eva, AL
Serving as Pall Bearers will be grandsons Robert Allen, Randall Allen and Wesley Ellis, great grandsons Tristan Allen, Michael Gray and Atticus Ellis. Honorary Pall Bearer will be great grandson Balian Allen.
