Dwight Whinery

Dwight Edward Whinery, age 70, entered into his eternal heavenly home on July 15, 2017. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, from 12-2 p.m. at East McFarland Baptist Church, services to follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Neal Hodo and Pastor Chad Palmer officiating. Dwight Edward Whinery was known as "Whiz"� to his friends growing up in Tuscaloosa, and as the chicken man to all those who visited with him at his Chick-fil-A restaurants, but more importantly, he was better known as Granddaddy to his grandchildren - whom he loved unmeasurably and prayed for by name every day. He is preceded in death by his mother, Flora Dell Leavell, and father Wiley Allen Whinery. He is survived by the love of his life and bride of almost 49 Years, Betty Jane Whinery, and two children, Todd Edward Whinery (Beth) of Tuscaloosa and Dwight Alan Whinery of Northport. He is survived by six grandchildren: April Michelle Whinery, Madison Michelle Whinery, Andrew Braxton Whinery, Emily Grace Whinery, Anderson Alan Whinery, and Chase Nolan Whinery. He also is survived by his sister, Beverly Light, of Northport, sister-n-law Barbara Skelton of Duncanville, brother-n-law Leon Brown (Shirley) of Northport, as well as several nieces and nephews. God had a plan for Dwight, and that was to be a faithful servant of the Lord. Dwight loved God"�s Word, as he would read and study God"�s word for hours a day in his room and say it was his most valued possession. His favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."� His favorite song is "Jesus Loves Me"�. Dwight Whinery brought Chick-fil-A to Tuscaloosa in 1980 when University Mall opened. He later opened the Chick-fil-A Double Drive Thru in 1993. He employed thousands of employees that he always loved, ministered to and treated each one as family. He would pray with them, listen to what was going on in their lives, offer scripture from God"�s word to them, and many times just sit and cry with them. There will never be enough appreciation for all those employees that worked for Dwight. Those employees brought him so much joy, and the family is very grateful for each and every one. He loved to serve his neighbors in Hillcrest Gardens, from taking their papers to their door, or getting their trash cans from the street and back in its proper place. He would help them with their groceries and help keep their front yard bushes trimmed. He loved his country and proudly served in the Army National Guard. He remained patriotic and was proud to have the opportunity to give to the Veterans Memorial Park and purchase the beautiful American flags that surround the park. Dwight loved Alabama athletics. He was a faithful and loyal season ticket holder of Alabama football, enjoyed watching Alabama baseball, but his passion and support went to the ladies of Alabama Softball as far back to when the program first started. His greatest devotion of his time and charity were to men"�s softball. He coached senior high boys as well as coached and played men"�s softball. He sponsored church softball tournaments in Tuscaloosa along with sponsoring church teams that would play all over Alabama and Florida. After his playing days were over, he enjoyed umpiring as long as his health allowed him. In 2014, Dwight was inducted into the West Alabama Softball Hall of Fame. It would be hard to go anywhere in Tuscaloosa County and not meet someone who did not know Dwight Whinery and probably had been influenced in some way by his generosity. He could always be found passing out cards for a FREE Chick-fil-A sandwich. He kept them in his little Bible in his pocket, in a way that seemed to open a door to witness to someone. He loved to brighten a child"�s face by always giving children a little stuffed Chick-fil-A plush cow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Hospice of West Alabama in honor of Dwight Whinery as he served there each week purchasing and delivering drinks and snacks for the families that would visit their loved ones.