Coren "Co" McWhorter

Coren “Co” McWhorter was a woman of strength, warmth, and unwavering love. Feisty in spirit yet gentle at heart, she carried a presence that could fill a room making everyone cared for, and at home. She created space for her family in every sense, a place where love, laughter, and honesty lived.

Whether through her cooking, her conversations, or simply her presence, Co made it clear that family was everything. After years of dedicated work, she retired from Jacobsen, but her greatest legacy will always be the love she poured into those around her.

Co was born on May 3, 1935, to Willie and Birdie Mae Gilliam (née McGee), in Red Hill, Mississippi and was raised in a family rooted in love.

She was united in marriage to her beloved husband, Jimmie D. McWhorter, on August 5, 1951, in New Albany, Mississippi. Together, they built a strong and lasting foundation, raising four children: Cora “Chic” Billups, Jimmie “Bunk” McWhorter, Jerome “Jerry” (Anita) McWhorter, and Rickey McWhorter.

Co leaves to cherish her memory of her grandchildren: James (Natashia) Billups, JaVonna (LaValle) Lue, Marquan Stephens, Nikki Stephens, Jimmie Dale (Elida) McWhorter, Coren (Justin) Thornton, Jerome McWhorter, and Aja (Daquon) Arrington.

Affectionately known as a loving grandmother and the heart of her family, her legacy continues through her great grandchildren: Donatellio (Karmyn) Billups, Szria Lambert, Justin Thornton, Jeremiah Thornton, Jayda Thornton, C’Yanna Arrington, Ciara Arrington, Cierra Malone, Dionte Malone Jr, Jimmie McWhorter III, Jimyah McWhorter, Amare McWhorter, and Jada Lue.

Co also shared a special and meaningful bond with her dear friend, James Tollfree, whose companionship and presence brought comfort and joy to her life, and gained “a special grandchild” during her stay at Waters Edge Nursing home in - Trina Ellison. Co also shared a special bond with her daughter in laws, Debra Stephens, Diana Riley-Tijani and the late Anita McWhorter.

She held a deep connection with her extended family as well, Her loving sisters and brothers in law, Jeff (Treva) McWhorter; William “Boo Man” McWhorter; Maryon (Lawrence) Mack; Jennie Johnson; Tammie McWhorter, Greenella “Gwen” McWhorter all of Racine, WI; Geraldine (Jack) Hattix; Webster B. "Dank" McWhorter of Blue Springs, Irma Stone, Sherry Denise McWhorter, and Helen Bostick.

Co valued those relationships, always making space for family, whether by blood or by bond.

Co was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Birdie Mae Gilliam; her sisters, Zannie Lee McClain, Modenia (Otha) Miller, Parthenia (Wiley) Johnson, Pearl Harris, and Willie Mae Gilliam; her brothers, Luther McGee and Willie B. Gilliam Jr.; her four children, Cora “Chic” Billups, Jimmie “Bunk” McWhorter, Jerome “Jerry” McWhorter, and Rickey McWhorter; and beloved grandsons, Rickey “Pooh” McWhorter Jr. and Justin J. McWhorter; and special nephew Mitchell McGee.

Co will be remembered not only as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister-in-law, but as a woman who made room for everyone she loved.

Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that her love did not end it lives on in every lesson she taught, every meal she shared, every conversation she held, and in each of us who were blessed to be loved by her.

A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation, Wednesday from 2:00 until the time of service.