Obituary

Kay Chitwood

Kay (Cavney) Chitwood, 80, passed away Thursday September 16, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Ansel Pierce and Mary (Howe) Cavney. She was born May 19, 1941 in York County, SC. She was a lifelong resident of Gastonia and a member of the Class of 1959 at Ashley High School. She worked in finance, accounting and office management for many years at family owned construction businesses – Chitwood Electrical Contractors and CSC Construction. She worked three years in the late 1980's at Gaston Federal S&L, which has now become South State Bank. Also, after retirement from the family businesses she worked at First Presbyterian Weekday School, Belmont in finance as well as Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden as an Accounting Manager.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband of over 52 years, Ralph Kirby Chitwood, in January 2013 and her sister, Jackie (Cavney) Fly in July 1988.

Survivors include her daughters Dede C. Rose and her husband Brian of Belmont, Melanie C. King and her husband Cory of Charlotte, son R. Kirby Chitwood, II of Cary, NC and grandchildren, Suzanne D. Rose, Austin D. Rose, Kasen P. Chitwood, and Jillian P. Chitwood. Step-granddaughter is Kate King Oxford and great-granddaughter is McKenzie Oxford.

Services were held at 1:00 pm on Monday September 20, 2021 in the Carothers Funeral Home Chapel, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia. The family received friends one hour before the service beginning at 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial follow in the Masonic Garden of Gaston Memorial Park.

Fond memories of Kay and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Kay's name to The National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or www.kidney.org.

The staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Chitwood Family.