Jerry Edwin McWhorter

Jerry Edwin McWhorter, 87, of Knoxville, TN passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, August 9th 2022 at home from a massive sudden heart attack. Jerry is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Judith Carolyn Pack McWhorter. Jerry was born April 19th, 1935 in Evansville, Indiana and is also preceded in death by his parents, James Rodford McWhorter and Mary Butler McWhorter, brothers David McWhorter, Roger McWhorter, and Sister In-Law Betty McWhorter. He is survived by daughters Jennifer Mulkey (Athens,GA); Amy Clarke (Ken) Franklin, TN, and Julie McWhorter Moore (Roger), Knoxville, TN. Grandchildren Jackson, Sean, Andrew and Lane Mulkey, all of Athens Georgia; John, William, and Harrison Clarke, Franklin, TN, and Anderson McWhorter Smith, Knoxville, TN. He is also survived by Brother Jon C. McWhorter (Malenda) Louisville, TN; Sister in law Jane Pack Miller, Knoxville, TN; Sister in Law Nancy McWhorter, Atlanta, GA; Nephews and nieces, Mark McWhorter (Mary), Kim McWhorter Rolfes (Frank), Greg McWhorter (Jan), Johnny Miller (Kristi), Jeffrey Miller, Megan McWhorter Jones (Joey), Allison McWhorter Galyon (Timmy), and Ashley McWhorter. Numerous great nieces and nephews and extended family throughout the Southeast.
Jerry attended West High School and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he was a proud member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. His loyalty to the fraternity lasted beyond college and Jerry served as President of the Housing Corporation during the remodeling of the house in the early 2000's. He was a member of Men's Cotillion where he served as President. Jerry was a wealth of knowledge and fascinating stories to which he would wrap up, point at you at the end of the story and say, "And that's a true story!"
Jerry ran McWhorter & Company, Inc for over 50 years. He loved what he did and he loved the relationships he built with customers. Along with his daughter Julie, they built the company up and survived the ups and downs that being in business for yourself can bring. He was a generous, hilarious and kind soul whose smile and laughter were always present and could light up a room. Jerry had a wicked sense of humor at times and loved to catch people off guard to double check and make sure they heard him right. In the early 1960's before he was married, Jerry was known to pack a bag and head out to Wyoming for the summer where he would work for Yellowstone National Park's Engineering Department cutting roads through the park each year. He loved the outdoors and took his family camping frequently in the Smokies, would take the family out to Yellowstone, bike riding in Cades Cove, hiking and encouraged each of his daughters to work out west for a summer which all three did. He was a very gifted artist and used those trips as inspiration for many of his wonderful watercolor paintings over the years. He had many talents he did not boast about.
One of the things that was most important to him was his relationship with First United Methodist Church where he and his wife Judy were devoted members and actively involved. He loved his church family, The Christian Forum Sunday School Class, and the relationships he formed there.
Honorary pallbearers are Jon C. McWhorter, Billy Weigel, Bruce Foster, and Gordon Thomas.
Receiving of Friends will be held Friday, August 19th from 6pm to 8pm at Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 20th at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 3316 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. Vehicle procession following for Graveside Burial at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to First United Methodist Church; Attn: Jerry McWhorter Memorial Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com