E. Whitson Obituary

ERWIN - E. Paul "Tall Paul" Whitson, age 87, of Erwin, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023 at his home surrounded by family. A native of Big Creek, NC, Paul is a son of the late Handy and Savannah (Canipe) Whitson. He loved North Carolina, but moved to Erwin with his parents when he was 12 years old. Paul was the Owner/Operator of Erwin Aluminum from 1970 until his retirement in 2000. Prior to this, he spent 13 years at Nuclear Fuel Services. Paul was a member of Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church, where he has served as Deacon since 1962. He also taught Sunday School and worked with Gideon's International. Paul was a certified church speaker for Gideon's International and spoke at hundreds of churches. He was a Shriner and a 32nd degree Mason and he was the best husband, father and grandfather that anyone could ask for. Paul enjoyed going to church and traveling. He traveled out West more than 30 times. He particularly enjoyed hunting and fishing trips to Wyoming with his three sons. In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by one brother, HW Whitson and wife, Opal of Blue River, Oregon.

Paul Whitson has left behind to cherish his memory: loving wife of 70 years, Shirley Whitson; sons: Mick Whitson and wife Christine, Tim Whitson and wife Debbie, and Scott Whitson and wife Sherry; grandchildren: Misty Peterson and husband Chris, Ashley Peterson and husband Jason, Holly Blankenship and husband Ryan, Rachel Davis and husband Kurt, and Michael Whitson; 17 great-grandchildren; soon-to-be great-great-grandson, Jaxson; sister, Sharon Miller and husband James; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Keith Whitson, Valerie Goss, Robin Goss and all of the employees of Remain at Home Nuclear Workers for all of their kindness and care through this difficult time.

The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the

life of Paul Whitson in a funeral service to be held at 7:00 pm on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church, 910 Hoback Street, Erwin, TN 37650. Reverend Noah Taylor will officiate. Musical selections will be provided by Chris Wilson. A visitation period to share memoires and offer support to the family will begin at 5:00 pm and will continue until service time on Friday at Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church. A committal service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 29, 2023 in the mausoleum chapel at Evergreen Cemetery. Those attending the committal service should meet at Valley Funeral Home by 10:30 am to go in procession to the cemetery. Serving as active pallbearers will be: Mason Hensley, Colton Warrick, Chris Peterson, Ryan Blankenship, Kurt Davis, Jason Peterson, Michael Whitson and Larry Anders.

Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church will live stream the funeral service for those who may not be able to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Gideon Bibles be purchased in Paul's memory.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of E. Paul "Tall Paul" Whitson through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N Main Ave., Erwin, TN 37650. (423) 743-9187.