Herman Richard Whisnant

Herman Richard Whisnant, 74, of Morganton, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, following an extended illness. He was born Nov. 27, 1939, in Burke County, and was a son of the late Earnest “Humdinger” Whisnant and Mary Sue Cope Whisnant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Saulman Whisnant, a sister, Gladys Allman, and two brothers, Jim Whisnant, and Bona Whisnant. He was a retired employee of Drexel Heritage where he worked as a supervisor in the machine room for 46 years. Richard was also a farmer and horseman.

He is survived by a daughter, Patricia Ann Coleman and husband, Jim, of Morganton; a son, Kenneth Richard Whisnant and wife, Kim; and a grandchild, Cory Tyler Whisnant of Morganton; brothers, Gorman “Bud” Whisnant, Winfred Whisnant, David Whisnant and wife, Brenda, of Jonesborough, TN, Gene Whisnant and wife, Daphne, of Connelly Springs, NC; sisters, Lucille Allman, Gertrude Clontz and husband, Harold, Elizabeth “Lib” Norville and husband, Rev. Albert Norville, Sadie Whisnant and Frances Stamey and husband, James all of Morganton; sisters-in-law, Linda Whisnant and Ruth Whisnant; nieces and nephews; and special friend Jeannie Swann of Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with the Rev. Eddy Bunton and the Rev. George Crawford officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. At other times the family will be at Mr. Whisnant’s home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burkemont Baptist Church, 4668 Burkemont Road, Morganton, NC 28655.