Obituaries

Alan Ray McWhorter Alan Ray McWhorter, 52, Santa Paula, died the afternoon of Saturday, March 3, 2007, at his home after a year and a half battle with cancer.Alan was born in Vallejo, California August 9, 1954 to his parents, Monty and Beverley McWhorter. He moved to Santa Paula with his parents in 1970, and was a graduate of the 1973 Santa Paula High School class. He played on the football team for two years, and also sang with the Summit Singers. Alan was a music enthusiast and sang with the Blue Tigers music group for about 10 years.Two years after graduating, Alan was wedded to Merrie Hilton, his lifelong sweetheart. He and Merrie first met each other at the First Southern Baptist Church of Santa Paula, where they were members and his father was the church’s pastor. Merrie’s parents, Marvin and Murrell Hilton, long time Santa Paula residents, were also members of the church.Alan and Merrie were married on his 21st birthday, August 9, 1975, and established their home in Santa Paula. They were married for 31 years, 6 months, and were the proud parents of Jessica, their daughter. Alan and Merrie were members of Life Way Baptist Church in Santa Paula.Alan had several places of employment over the years, including the Thrifty Drug Store chain, Rite Aid, and Office Max. He could often be seen accompanying his wife as she engaged in her business of animal care known as The Tender Fold.One of Alan’s gifts in life was singing and writing music. With help from some of his dearest friends, he produced a CD album under the title of “Closer” that contains some of his songs.Alan was preceded in death by his younger brother, Mark. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Merrie Hilton McWhorter; daughter, Jessica McWhorter of San Diego; his parents, Monty and Beverley McWhorter of Fresno; brother and his wife, Randy and Leigh of Fresno; his mother-in-law, Muriel Hilton of Santa Paula; sister-in-law Marilyn Hilton of Santa Paula; brother-in-law and his wife, Mike and Lera Hilton of Bakersfield; and uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and great-cousins.Friends may call Thursday, March 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula.Alan’s funeral will be conducted at Life Way Baptist Church, 673 W. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 9. The service will be conducted by the church’s pastor, Rev. Bob Walpole, and the Reverends Monty and Randy McWhorter.