Charles Whitley

Charles “Chuck” Edward Whitley, 67, of Locust, NC, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2011, at his home. The funeral service will be held at First Street United Methodist Church at 509 North First Street, Albemarle, NC, on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. At other times the family will meet at the home. Mr. Whitley was born on August 11, 1944, in Danville, VA, to the late Colon Whitley and the late Margaret Florence Meyers Whitley. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Elizabeth Whitley and a brother, Pete Whitely. He was a member of the First Street United Methodist Church, Albemarle, NC. Chuck Whitley retired from Sierra Lobo earlier this year after a very noteworthy career. After serving our country with 20 years in the Air Force, Chuck joined the workforce at NASA Langley Research Center for the next 26 years, including serving as Sierra Lobo’s Program Manager on the REOS contract and finally as Deputy Program Manager and Branch Head of Test Operations on the ROME contract. Chuck Whitley so inspired his colleagues and senior management that Sierra Lobo decided to create the “Whitley Award” honoring one outstanding employee each year for exhibiting the loyalty, leadership, resourcefulness, adaptability, and commitment to excellence as he demonstrated. The family would like to extend a heart felt appreciation to Dr. Livingston, his nurse Lauri and staff, the Stanly County Hospice staff and the CMC Main Oncology staff and other caring doctors for all of their love and support. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sharon Elizabeth Lane Whitley and their Yorkie, Harry Potter Whitley of the home; a daughter, Mary-Sue Whitley Chase and two grandchildren, Breanna Lane and Tyler Chase of Mississippi; four brothers, Carroll Whitley, Wayne Whitley, Larry Whitley and Gary Whitley; two sisters, Jewel Whitley Honeycutt and Cathy Whitley Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Street United Methodist Church at 509 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Whitley family.