Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada for Mr. Larry Whitfield, 75, of Sweatman, who died on Thursday, April 4, in Jackson. Burial followed in the Gordon Family Cemetery in Sweatman. Bro. Cole Surrell officiated. The family received friends from 1 p.m. until service time on Sunday, April 7, at McKibben and Guinn.
Larry was born on April 6, 1948, in Haiti, Mo., the son of the late Neely Howard and the late Lerlene Owens Whitfield. He earned an associate degree from Freed-Hardeman University, a bachelor’s degree from Harding University and a master’s degree from Mississippi State University. He taught in the Montgomery County Schools for 30 years. He later became a technology facilitator in the Grenada County Schools as well as the Craven County (N.C.) School System. Larry devoted his life to the education and enrichment of young people. He was a member of the Red Hill Church of Christ.
In addition to his parents, one sister, Patricia Pirtle, preceded Larry in death.
Survivors include, his wife of 56 years, Diane Gordon Whitfield; two sons, Gordon Scott Whitfield (Michelle) of Goldsboro, N.C., and Brandon Lee Whitfield (Samantha) of Rockwall, Texas; two sisters, Barbara Bailey and Virginia Quinn; two brothers, Ronnie Whitfield and Jerry Whitfield; seven grandchildren, Ashley Keagy, Rebekah Adams, Alivia Whitfield, Kassie Whitfield, Gordon Scott Whitfield Jr., Elizabeth Whitfield and Nathan Whitfield and 14 great grandchildren.
Roger Gordon, Wesley King, Blake Powell, Ryan Renfroe, Kelby Surrell, Mike Sykes, Joe Wade and Reiv Wood honored Larry by serving as pallbearers and carried him to rest in the Gordon Family Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Red Hill Church of Christ.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
