Ronald D. Whisenhunt

Ronald D. Whisenhunt, Sr., age 76, of Kirby, died Sunday, November 16, 2008.

He was born on September 12, 1932, at Kirby, the son of Elder Grady Whisenhunt and Katye Woodall Whisenhunt. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Lori Lynn.

A member and deacon of Caney Valley Missionary Baptist Church, he taught Sunday school classes for over 48 years. He played college basketball for 4 years and graduated in 1955 from Henderson State Teachers College, now Henderson State University. A retired basketball coach, he coached his first 5 years at Mount Ida Public Schools with the remainder of his career devoted to the Kirby basketball program. After coaching, he loved being a full time cattleman and farmer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Wavanee Whisenhunt; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie and Sherry Whisenhunt and David and Kristi Whisenhunt; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Richard Ray; eight grandchildren, Kay Whisenhunt, Lucas Whisenhunt, Mandi Whisenhunt, Derek Ray, Lance Whisenhunt, Ali Whisenhunt, Lauren Ray and Lee Whisenhunt all of Kirby; and a host of friends.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, November 19, 2008, in the Kirby Public School Gymnasium with Bro. Keith Howell, Bro. Robbie Horne and Bro. Todd Self officiating.

Visitation will be Tuesday, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Caney Valley Missionary Baptist Church.

Interment will be in Palestine Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood.

Pallbearers will be Dewayne Mack, Dewight Mack, Bob Montgomery, Bruce Self, Mickey Simmons, Hardie Reynolds, Mike Funderburk, Wayne Self, Mark Foshee and Jeff Small.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Caney Valley Missionary Baptist Church and the staff of Arkansas Hospice.

Memorials may be made to the Ronald Whisenhunt Memorial Scholarship Fund, % Jeff Alexander, Kirby High School, PO Box 9, Kirby, Arkansas 71950.