Edward Whisenant

Edward McCoy Whisenant, 84, of Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at the Burke Palliative Care Center following a brief illness. Born in Burke County on Jan. 30, 1925, he was the son of the late Williams S. "Dick" Whisenant and Mamie Secrest Whisenant. Edward was a lifelong member of Burkemont Baptist Church and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Following 44 years of employment, he retired from Drexel-Heritage Furnishings where he was superintendent of the chair plant. The family wishes to thank the staff of Burke Hospice for their compassionate and professional care during this difficult time. Edward is survived by his wife of 61 years, Irene Haskins Whisenant of the home; daughters, Janice Whisenant Barrier and her husband, Jack and Susan Renee Whisenant and her fiancée, David R. Griffin, all of Morganton; brothers, Gene and Irvin Whisenant, both of Morganton; sisters, Betty Cline, Katherine Smith Rector and Margaret Smith, all of Morganton; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by brothers, Dickie and Bennett Whisenant. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Dennis Carswell officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military graveside rites provided by Valdese American Legion Post No. 234. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.