Dr. Charles L. McWhorter, 64, of Fitzgerald, died Thursday, June 13, 2013 in Dodge County, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Sunday, June 16, 2013, at First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald with the Rev. Steve O’Neal officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Wilcox County. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Saturday evening at the funeral home.
Dr. McWhorter was born October 2, 1948 in Fitzgerald to the late John Benjamin McWhorter, Sr. and Mardelle Stonecypher McWhorter. Following his graduation from Wilcox County High School in 1966, Dr. McWhorter was drafted into the Army. He served his country honorably as a Military Police Sergeant, stationed in Germany. After returning home, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. He graduated from Veterinary School at the University of Georgia in 1978 where he was a member of the Omega Tau Sigma fraternity. He opened Fitzgerald Veterinary Clinic following his graduation and served the community’s veterinary needs for 35 years.
Dr. McWhorter was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald, a 25-year member and Past Master (1992) of Pine Level Lodge #353 F.&A.M, and a member of Hasan Shrine. Dr. McWhorter was a faithful member of the Fitzgerald Lions Club for 35 years, was named a Melvin Jones Fellow, and served as Secretary for over 25 years. He was a former member of the Fitzgerald Jaycees, and a Water, Light, and Bond Commissioner from 1990-1997, serving three years as Chairman. His professional involvements include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Georgia VMA, and the South Georgia VMA. Dr. McWhorter developed the Otter Creek Hunting Club on the Ocmulgee River and oversaw its operation for 21 years. He turned a tree-filled 2,000-acre tract into a fully functional hunting camp with a network of roads, running water, electricity, and boat ramps. He contributed greatly to the Ben Hill County 4-H program, including assisting with their annual Rabies Clinic for many years. Dr. McWhorter loved cooking for his family, enjoyed fishing, and eating fried fish, and was an avid and skillful outdoorsman.
He is survived by two daughters and sons in law: Tara McWhorter (George Michael) Tucker and Lisa Kay McWhorter (Lee) Hunter; two sons: Charles Lee McWhorter, II and Luie Alexander McWhorter, all of Fitzgerald; two grandchildren: Brianna Leigh Stone and Colton Jett Hunter; siblings and their spouses: Nelson (Mary Nell) McWhorter of Rochelle, Lillie (Raleigh O.) Gibbs of Abbeville, John B. (Jackie) McWhorter, Jr. of Rochelle, Elvira (Hoyt) Biggers of Rebecca, and Sidney McWhorter of Rochelle; an uncle: R.C. Stonecypher of Eastman, an aunt: Mozelle Blankenship of Statesboro; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.