Lou Ellen (Wilkie) McWhorter

Lou Ellen Wilkie McWhorter passed away on November 13, 2025, at age 74. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). 

Lou was born on March 12, 1951, to E.C. "Cleve" Wilkie and Nancy Stroup. In August 1969 she married Don McWhorter, of Middleburg, KY. God blessed their union with four children. Lou enjoyed music immensely and was an accomplished organist and pianist. She served as both organist and pianist in various churches throughout her adult life. Lou loved the grand old hymns of the Christian faith and had recently enjoyed listening to a rendition of "Never Alone" with one of her sons when he visited her last month. She expressed on that day how much she looked forward to seeing Jesus, her Savior who died for her sins. Although she lived the final years of her life in Kinston, NC, she never lost her love for the Bluegrass State, where many of her children still reside. Her feet were in Carolina, but her heart was in Kentucky! 

Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Cleve and Nancy Wilkie, and her brother, Everett Wilkie. She is survived by her sister, Mary Beth Wilkie, and her children, Cindy Ballenger, Ellen Stone, Keith McWhorter, Bryan McWhorter, and Kenan McWhorter, and twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

A private family Memorial Service will be planned at a later date. If anyone wishes to express condolences and honor Lou's memory, the family requests memorials be made to the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina.