History & Staff

The history of Hankins & Whittington – Dilworth Chapel dates back to 1946 when Irvin W. Hankins and James B. Whittington were discharged from the military. Having served together during World War II, they returned to Charlotte and immediately resumed their positions with Crouch Funeral Home, which they then purchased in August of 1946. In 1949, they moved to a larger location at 1714 South Boulevard and changed the name to Hankins & Whittington Funeral Directors.

In March 1963, they moved to the present location at 1111 East Boulevard after purchasing the property from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. The former church was renovated and adapted for use as a funeral home. Hankins & Whittington has since grown into one of the leading funeral service providers in North Carolina, thanks to the unselfish dedication of Irvin Hankins and Jim Whittington. Through the years, the men also served the community in various civic and church activities, including city government and Little League Baseball. The desire of Mr. Hankins and Mr. Whittington to serve the people of the greater Charlotte area in a professional and personal manner has always remained the focus of our staff.

Over time, the facilities have continually been updated to create an atmosphere that is both warm and inviting. The chapel, built in the early 1930’s, retains the charm of stained glass, a vaulted ceiling, and brick walls. Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted with a beautifully appointed room accented by a fireplace. Visitation rooms are also tastefully decorated and colorful. However, more important than the beauty of our building is the manner in which our staff serves the families who pass through our doors. Attention to detail and encouragement of meaningful and creative services has become our hallmark.

After more than 70 years of service, we appreciate the reputation we have established with the people of Charlotte – "Celebrating Memories Since 1946”

Joe resided and served families as a licensed funeral director and grief counselor in Pennsylvania and New Jersey prior to moving to the Charlotte, NC area. With over 25 years of experience, he has served hundreds of families in their most difficult time. Joe’s experience includes helping others as a licensed funeral director, facilitating grief support groups and individual support as a Biblical counselor. He also has clinical experience as a hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator.

His education includes degrees in mortuary science, practical ministry, theological studies, and Biblical studies in counseling and is certified in Thanatology (The study of death, dying, and bereavement) by the Association of Death Education and Counseling.

Joe and his wife, Chris, have four children and two granddaughters.

Peggy grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Garinger High School.  She retired from Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services after over 22 years of service and became the receptionist at Temple Beth El in 2008.  Peggy joined the staff of Hankins & Whittington in January, 2016 as a weekend administrative assistant and became Funeral Administrator in August, 2017.

Peggy enjoys serving families.  “I know how it feels to be the person walking through our doors, and I can offer them comfort that they are not alone,” she says.

Peggy is active in the Charlotte Community by ushering at Actor’s Theatre and at the Halton Theatre at CPCC.  She also participates in the Charlotte Hadassah Chapter’s fundraiser, Celebrate the TaTa’s.

Helen lived in Los Angeles for 25 years starting in ticket sales for the Pantages and Wilshire Theatres before moving on as the Director of Group Sales for the Shubert Theatre. She is an animal lover, cinephile fanatic, loves anything mid-century and is a 19th century history buff. After moving back to Charlotte in 2001 to care for her parents, she served 17 years working for McGuireWoods Law Firm prior to working with Hankins and Whittington.

While working in the funeral industry was never part of her game plan, her many years of customer service made it a good fit. She feels that taking a deceased loved one into our care is only half of our job. The other half is taking care of our families who sometimes need us long after their loved ones are gone.

Morgan moved from Illinois to Charlotte in 2019, just after graduating high school, with the intention of becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer in North Carolina. She decided to pursue a career in funeral service at the age of thirteen, after the loss of her grandfather a few years prior. This was the first funeral she had ever attended and though it was frightening; however, the funeral director took great care of her and her family. Morgan has since made it her mission to help and care for families the way that her family was cared for during that time.

She is currently a student of the Funeral Service Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College, and lives with her sister, brother-in-law, and two cats, Juicebox and Burbank.