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Robert Whirley Obituary
Born in Petersburg, he was the son of the late Rosa Mae Burton Whirley and Robert J. Whirley Jr. He was a member of Western Heights Baptist Church, the Fishers of Men Sunday school class, and the Brotherhood. Mr. Whirley was the owner/operator of Whirley's Tractor Repair for 38 years. He loved and played bluegrass and gospel music. He was a 12-time VFMA Dobro Champion, and showed Hit & Miss engines.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth "Kathy" Whirley; his daughter, Tanya W. Spiers and husband, Gary, of Dinwiddie; his son, Robert W. Whirley Jr. and wife, Ashley, of Cary, N.C.; three grandchildren, Morgan and Anna Spiers, and Robert Coleman Whirley; two brothers, John E. Whirley of Stony Creek, and Stoney Whirley Sr. and wife, Pat, of Dinwiddie; two uncles, Aubrey "Butch" Whirley and Ollie of Petersburg, and Kenneth Whirley and wife, Sheila, of Mechanicsville; four sisters-in-law, Sandy Cannon of Matoaca, Patricia McClure and husband, Bill, of La Miranda, Calif., Betty Ann Stempinski and husband, Walter, of El Paso, Texas, and Laura Henricks and husband, Manuel, of Lexington, S.C.; two brothers-in-law, Mike Sweeney of Mitchell, S.D., and Dickie Cannon of Hopewell; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many beloved friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in Western Heights Baptist Church, 24416 Cox Road, Petersburg, VA 23803, with the Rev. Jonathan Dundalow and the Rev. Ron Sowers officiating. Interment will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Western Heights Baptist Church Building Fund, or the Western Heights Baptist Church Lottie Moon Mission Fund. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Whirley
jana bryant
December 5, 2011
Our love and Prayers are with family
Jana and Robert Bryant
Pat & George Elder
December 5, 2011
Kathy: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Robert was a truly gifted man and will be missed.
Richard Reynolds
December 3, 2011
Kathy, I just heard today about Robert. My heart goes out to you ,Tonya, and Robert. A lot of my fondest memories of playing Bluegrass revolve around Robert. I am truly sorry for your loss. May God bless you, Tonya, Robert and comfort you during this time.
December 3, 2011
Kathy, I am so sorry for the loss of you dear husband. He was a great mechanic on tractors and worked on "Preacher's" many time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings, Lois Thompson
William White Sr.
December 3, 2011
Kathy,
I am so sorry to hear about Robert he was indeed a good man. You and your family will be in our prayers.
Helene McDaniels
December 3, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please call Us if there is anything we can do for you and your family.
Susan Petrick
December 2, 2011
Kathy and Family, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Reflect on all the memories and love Robert shared. God Bless all of you and ease your pain during your time of sorrow. Susan Petrick (Petersburg, VA)
Love, Vonda & Bo
December 2, 2011
Kathy and family, We are so sorry to hear of Snow's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you and keep his loving arms around you all.
Donald & Carol Warthan
December 2, 2011
Just want you to know that our thoughts a prayers are with all the family. He will be missed.
Carol & Donald Warthan
Crip & Polly Carpenter
December 2, 2011
To The Whirley Family,
We were very sorry to hear of your recent loss. Robert used to come by our house during the 1960's and play his dobro. Such a wonderful person and musician. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Vicki Escue
December 2, 2011
Mrs. Kathy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know my heart aches for you. May God continue to be your Rock and allow His graces to spread over you and ease your pain, my dear friend. God bless you all!
Dennis Martin
December 2, 2011
So sorry to hear of Robert's passing, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Robert was such a loving and kind person. May God be with the whole family.
Cathy & Bruce Bowman
December 2, 2011
So sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our prayers and thoughts.
Craig Sadler
December 2, 2011
Hey Boss, I've just been told of the passing of your father. My thoughts are with you & your family. Only the passing of time will help to heal your hearts pain.
Richie Hamilton
December 2, 2011
Sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with the Whirley family.
TIFFANY & CHRIS ALDRIDGE
December 2, 2011
MRS. WHIRLEY,
WE ARE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND WAS FRIENDS WITH EVERYBODY. HE WILL BE WATCHING OVER YOU NOW IN HEAVEN. THERE WILL BE A TIME AGAIN THAT YOU SEE EACH OTHER AND BE FILLED WITH JOY. OUR PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF NEED. TAKE CARE
SINCERELY,
Hattie Verrinder
December 2, 2011
Your family is in my prayers.
Tracey Bowen
December 2, 2011
Sorry for your loss
Dee Christian
December 2, 2011
Kathy and family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. May God hold you all in His comforting arms as you mourn the passing of Robert. I pray blessings upon you during this hour of sadness. - Dee Christian & family
December 1, 2011
Kathy, Tonya and Robert,
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Poo and Sheila
Linda Whirley
December 1, 2011
Kathy and family I am so sorry to hear about Snow, it came as a real shock, may God bless each and every one of you and know he is now in heaven playing beautiful music with the rest of his loved ones.
December 1, 2011
Kathy, Tonya, and Robert,
So sorry and shocked to learn of Robert's passing. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. May you feel God's loving arms of comfort around you. Love, Wayne & Aggie Williamson
Debbie and Jim Lamoreaux
December 1, 2011
Stoney, Our hearts ache for your loss. We are shocked along with so many others hearing this news. You and your brother had a special bond and together you both played beautiful music. It is no doubt that he would want you to be strong and continue forward with your ministry. Then one day in Gods time you will play together again in the Kingdom of Heaven. Be encouraged that God is there to strengthen you and comfort you during this time. And so many friends are praying for you and the family. Please call us if you need to talk or just need a shoulder. God bless.
J. Tribble
December 1, 2011
Sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family
Debbie and Jim Lamoreaux
December 1, 2011
Kathy, we are so saddened by this shocking news. Our hearts are struggling for the right words to say. Like you we know that God has a plan. Your strong faith in Jesus will get you through. Let Him be your comfort and your strength during this time of grief. Also know that you have so many friends that are only a phone call away. You are such a woman of God and you and Robert have always meant so much to us. Be encouraged that God has everything under control. Roberts music will always remain amongst our most treasured memories of him. The maidens prayer has never been played more beautiful than when he did it. May you find peace and be comforted in your memories of the years you had together. God bless you.
December 1, 2011
Kathy and Family - Sorry to hear about Robert, you and your family will be in our prayers. Lean on God for comfort.
Wayne & cheryl Joyner
Ginger LaPrade
December 1, 2011
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear about Robert. My dad, COL Thomason, and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
December 1, 2011
Kathy,
I know that your heart is so very heavy with loss now and my heart aches for you.
Hopefully it will bring you some comfort to know that -oh what a joyful reunion he had when he got to heaven. I know momma and daddy were glad to see him and they are all making music together!
Sincerely,
Patricia Burnette-Urda
Frances Morgan
December 1, 2011
Kathy, Ronnie and I are so sorry to hear about Robert. Please know our prayers are with you and both of your children. Be strong and let God wrap his arms around you and give you comfort.
December 1, 2011
Kathy,
I just got the news this morning. I am so sorry to hear this. Robert was a generous guy and helped many future musicians reach their potential. He will be sorely missed.
Your friend,
Laura in Matoaca
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E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory - Colonial Heights2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
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