Charles Lester Whitworth was born on June 20, 1932 in Hattieville, Arkansas. He was the son of the late Lester and Daisy (Carlon) Whitworth. He died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, August 4, 2007 in Sheridan, Arkansas at the age of 75.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sarah Cearley Whitworth of Sheridan; children, Charles Whitworth, Jr. and wife Lisa of Hot Springs, Marla Moore and husband Mike, and Sharla Dunigan and husband Ed all of Sheridan; grandchildren, Aundrea, Lauren, and Haley Whitworth; Whitney, Landon, and Sarah Grace Moore; and Sawyer Dunigan; great-granddaughter, Morisyn Whitworth-Sellers; brother, Carlon Whitworth and wife Naomi of Adamsville, Tennessee; sisters, Euleta Hewes of Dodge City, Kansas, Thomasine Ray of Jonesboro, and Floella Miller of Kansas City, Missouri.
Charlie Whitworth always loved sports and enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating from Helena-West Helena Central High School in 1951, Charlie joined the Naval Reserve. A few months later during the Korean Conflict, he was called to active duty. During his two year term, he worked in special services and was given the opportunity to play football for the Memphis Navy. In January 1954, he enrolled in college at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He received a scholarship to play end on the football team and was a four-year letterman. Charlie was a member of Kappa Sigma social fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity. He was awarded the honor of Academic All-American in 1957.
Following graduation in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, Charlie accepted the position of head football coach at Monticello High School. He coached the Billies for four seasons, winning a district championship. In the summer of 1962, he was selected to be an assistant coach for the Arkansas All-Star football game.
For 14 seasons from 1962 until 1976, Charlie served as the head football coach and athletic director at Sheridan High School. During his tenure at Sheridan, the Yellowjackets posted a record of 114 wins, 25 losses, and 2 ties while winning eight conference championships. The 3AA East Championship Team of 1966 went undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record! In 1969, Charlie was named head coach for the Arkansas All-Star football game.
He graduated with an MSE degree from the University of Central Arkansas and was Principal at Sheridan Jr. High School until he retired in 1990 after 35 years in education. He served on the Arkansas Athletic Association Executive Committee and was President of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association. He also served as President of the Sheridan Golf Club.
In 1995, the Sheridan School Board dedicated the Charles Whitworth Field House named in his honor. In 2001, he was once again honored when he was presented the Curt King Award by the Arkansas High School Coaches Association. He was inducted in the AHSCA Hall of Fame in 2005. He was a member of the American Legion and an active member of First Baptist Church where he attended Sunday school and Primetimers and served as a greeter. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Sheridan Rotary Club. Following his retirement from Sheridan Schools, Charlie became an avid fisherman, camper, golfer, and woodworker. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and cheerleading.
A funeral service conducted by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Sheridan with the Rev. Mark Lindsey officiating. Burial will follow at Lost Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Ed Dunigan, Mike Moore, Sawyer Dunigan, Landon Moore, Orville Ashley, Jerry Ferguson, George Hatch, and Charles Robinette. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund at 1201 South Rock, Sheridan, AR 72150.