LOIS S. WHISENANT

Lois Starnes Whisenant, 42, of New Farm Road, Granite Falls, died May 19, 2001, at her residence. Born Oct. 9, 1958, in Charleston, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Howard J. and Irene Keller Starnes. A member of Dudley Shoals Baptist Church, she was employed by Caldwell County Soil and Water Conservation. A member of the last graduating class of Granite Falls High School, she graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College with a degree in Christian education. She was a pianist for a combined 30 years in several churches: Poovey's Grove, Concord, First Baptist and Dudley Shoals, all in Granite Falls, and Antioch Baptist Church of Taylorsville. She also played piano at weddings and other occasions in the area. She was preceded in death by two foster brothers, John McLean and Stanford McLean. Survivors include her husband, Ed Whisenant; a son, Benjamin Whisenant of the home; a daughter, Brooke L. Whisenant of the home; a sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and Rick Winkler of Granite Falls; and two foster brothers, Roger Klutz of Asheville and George McLean of Granite Falls. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Don Ingle, Ron Winkler and Dennis Spivey at 4 p.m. Wednesday at her church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Reid, Randy Carswell, Jim Kirby, Floyd Hayes, Nathan Vannoy and Shawn Pennell. Honorary pallbearers will be the coaching staff and players of South Caldwell High School's football team. The family will be at the church from 6 to 8 tonight. Memorials may be made to Dudley Shoals Baptist Church, 1882 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630, to be used in the music program for Baptist Children's Home of North Carolina in Thomasville. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.