Joe Whisnant

SHELBY - Mr. Joe Edward Whisnant, 79, of 609 North Post Road, died on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Hospice Cleveland County.

A native of Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Lloyd Thomas and Nannie Katherine Allen Whisnant. He was a veteran, retiring from service in the Navy after 21-1/2 years of service as a Chief Petty Officer. He was a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church where he was in the Master/Workers Sunday School Class.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Tom, Bobby and Paul Whisnant; three sisters, Gladys Putnam, Helen Blanton, and Katherine Whisnant; and a great-grandson, Kyle Martin.

Surviving Mr. Whisnant is his beloved wife of 51 years, Joann Pritchard Whisnant; a son, Chris Whisnant; grandchildren, Nancy Renee Shultz of Shelby and Jacob Reinhardt of Pacolet, S.C.; great-grandchildren, Caydence and Makayla Schultz and Conor Martin, all of Shelby; special cousins, Libby Clark, Peggy Sparks and Tommy Clark; and special nephews, Tom Putnam of Shelby, Steve Blanton of Bluffton, S.C. and Ron Blanton of Casa Grande, Ariz.

Celebration of Life: Wednesday, May 26, 3 p.m., Elizabeth Baptist Church

Officiated by: The Revs. Dr. Rit Varriale and Clint Padgett

Visitation: The family will receive friends one hour before the service, at the church and other times at the home.

Burial: Elizabeth Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors

Funeral home: Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory