Kimberly Susanne Lamons Whisenant

CHARLOTTE - Kimberly Susanne Lamons Whisenant, 39 years old, died at her home on Aug. 30, 2009, surrounded by her loving family and friends after a two-year battle with breast cancer. Despite this long and difficult fight, her faith grew stronger every day and was an inspiration to many who knew her and even others who heard about her story of strength and hope.

Kim was born Jan. 21, 1970, in Muskogee, Okla., to Linda Ledford and John Edward Lamons. She moved to North Carolina at the age of three and considered North Carolina her home. Kim attended Southeast Guilford High School (1988) and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1992 with a degree in sociology and criminal justice.

Kim and her husband, Michael Jackson Whisenant, Jr. met in high school and although going their separate ways for awhile, re-united during their college years and married in June, 1992. Celebrating 17 years of marriage this year, they lived in Virginia Beach, Va., for approximately five years while Michael served in the United States Navy.

Their first child, Jessica Brianne, was born in 1996 in Virginia. In 1997, Kim and Michael returned to North Carolina to reside in Charlotte, where their second child, Grace Katherine, was born in 2002, and their third child, Matthew Jackson, was born in 2005. Kim's passion was her children and being a Mom meant everything to her.

In addition to her husband and children, Kim is survived by her mother, Linda Ledford; her father, John Edward Lamons; stepmother Deb; maternal grandmother Maxine Leaton; paternal grandparents Ruth and Garl Gene Lamons; brother David Lamons; sisters MariJo Brennan, Laura Reed, Heather Lamons and Danika Lamons. Also she is survived by nieces Kalyn Watson, Amanda Scicluna, and nephews, Anthony Benti, Jesse Benti-Torres and Christopher Lamons. She is also survived by her mother-in-law and father-in-law Ebbie and Mike Whisenant; sister-in-law Celi Watson; very special grandmother-in-law Frances Whisenant; and loving cousins Kevin, J.J. and Brandon Levine.

The outpouring of love and support for Kim and her entire family by her neighbors in Landen Meadows, the congregations at both Calvary Church and Covenant Baptist Church, Hawk Ridge Elementary and Community House Middle School, and classmates from Southeast Guilford in Greensboro are beyond compare. It is a testament to both Kim's life and the true meaning of what community really means exhibited in its highest and finest form.

Service: A memorial service for Kim will be held in the Chapel of Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, at 12 Noon Wednesday, Sept. 2 with burial immediately following at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery, 6230 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.

Visitation: The family will receive friends in the Rea Road Room (use entrance 3) of Calvary Church Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 6-10 p.m.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Kimberly Whisenant Fund, Hope Cancer Ministry, 4824 Sharon View Road, Charlotte, NC 28226; or Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204.