Thomas Oliver Whittington

Thomas Oliver Whittington went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, May 8th at 4:59 PM. He knew this world was not his home and he was homesick for Heaven. Oliver, as the family called him, lived a life of love and faithfulness that was a shining example to us all. He would literally give you the shirt off of his back. He always thought of others first and needed very little for himself. Oliver lived most of his life on Hwy 55 in a wonderful little community called Carpenter near Morrisville, NC. However, his forever earthly home was always down a little dirt road called Whittington Lane. No matter where he traveled in life, that little white house where his mother and father raised him was where his heart stayed.

Oliver graduated from Coats High School in 1955. He married the love of his life, Zora Earlene Brown, on June 18th, 1955. It took him a little while after he graduated and married to find his niche. Eventually, he decided to go to Technical School and received a degree in Engineering. At approximately 30 years old, he began working for IBM as an Engineer. Tom, as they called him in the business world, had a very successful career with IBM. Upon retirement from IBM, he went into the insurance business and purchased an agency in Fuquay Varina, NC. A & W Insurance was born and is still in business today.

Oliver's real love, other than family, was his relationship with Jesus Christ and being a faithful member of All Nations Fellowship Church in Raleigh, NC (Formerly Blount Street COGOP). He has been a faithful member of a Church of God of Prophecy congregation for well over 55 years. He assisted his late wife, Earlene Whittington, in pastoring several congregations in North Carolina, but his home church was always the Raleigh Church. Oliver gave almost everything he had to spreading the love of Jesus Christ, whether it be through the Church or in personal giving to others. He felt his entire purpose for living was to share with others how much Jesus loved them. He would make his way down a hidden trail near his home on Hwy.55, to kneel at a large rock and pray, asking The Lord to direct him in doing exactly that. He taught all who knew him what real love looked like. Even more important than that, he taught us that no one is perfect, and we all make mistakes but never fear going to The Lord to ask forgiveness. The Lord also blessed Oliver with a very forgiving nature, even when people didn’t ask for forgiveness. We, as his family, could not have had a more wonderful example of love and forgiveness.

Thomas Oliver is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Zora Earlene Whittington, his parents William Carl and Verta Blackmon Whittington, his beloved daughter, Wanda Elaine Whittington, and his siblings, Carl Whittington, Jr., Edna Vaughan, Jackie Bass, Delano Whittington and Vince Whittington.

Thomas Oliver is survived by his daughter, Sharon Megan Lynn Allen (Scott), Grandchildren: Jeremy Allan Bagley (Jody), Chad Everett Bagley (Nichole), Christy Marie Hart (Charlie), Aaron Goewey, Ashleigh Goewey (Jordan) and Great Grandchildren: Elijah Bagley, Jace Bagley, Courtland Whittington, Nora McNeely-Bagley, Zoey Bagley and Caylee Hart; sister: Rena McLamb, brothers: Jerry Whittington (Lynda) and Don Whittington (Deborah). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and family members that he loved dearly.

The family would like to thank the wonderful people of The Enclave at 118 Eagle Point Lane in Clayton, NC for the loving care and compassion they showed “Mr. Tom” since July 4th of 2025. Their endless care, love, and support have meant the world to all of us.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Thomas Oliver Whittington’s life at Apex Funeral Home in Apex, NC on Friday, May 15th at 12 Noon. Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening, May 14th from 6 PM to 8:00 PM also at Apex Funeral Home. For those attending the funeral that cannot make it to the visitation on Thursday evening, there will be a short time of viewing from 11:30 AM Friday until the time of service.

Interment will follow at approximately 2:30pm at Harnett Devotional Gardens at 5665 Fairground Rd, Dunn, NC. 28334.