John T. Whitford

Mr. John T. Whitford, age 84, of Ronda, NC, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on August 13, 1937, in Craven Co., NC, to the late David Thomas Whitford and Violet Jewel Fornes Whitford.

Before his retirement, Mr. Whitford was a farmer, the owner/operator of his own construction company, cabinet shop, home decorations store, and a restaurant, Big John’s Barbecue. He served his country in the United States Armed Forces.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara Ann Puryear Whitford; daughters, Christi Colbert and Debra W. Whitley and her husband, Melvin; son, Gary Thomas Whitford and his wife, Tracy; grandchildren, Kendal Sadler and his wife, Sherry; Jonathon Rouse; Chris Rouse and his wife, Tori; and Brianna Simpson and her husband, Jeremiah; great-grandchildren, Gray Sadler; Noah Sadler and wife, Breanna; Levi Sadler, Dakota Rouse, Mason Rouse; Grayson Rouse; Israel Simpson; Ezekiel “Zeke” Simpson; Janna Ray Simpson; Dennis Cooke; Jessica Parsons and husband, Tony; and great-great grandchildren, Nolan Sadler; Sailor Rouse; Tanner Cooke; Alexa Gregory; and Kolton Parsons.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Friendly Chapel Church 228 Friendly Chapel Church Rd, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041with Rev. Ryan Whitt, Rev. Rickey Rogers, and Minister Jeremiah Simpson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Songs will be conducted at the service by the following people: Karen Wiles; John and Linda Anderson; Israel Simpson; Brianna Simpson; and Mike Quesenberry.

Mr. Whitford will lie in state starting on Monday, January 10, 2022 thru Friday, January 14, 2022 at Cox-Needham Funeral Home, 822 West Main Street, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Cox-Needham Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Whitford family. 

Please sign the guestbook at www.coxneedham.com, www.facebook.com/coxneedham.

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