E. Bona Whisnant

E. Bona Whisnant, 76, of Garland Johnson Road, Morganton, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born Feb. 2, 1919, in Burke County, and was a son of the late Ernest Whisnant and Mary Sue Cope Whisnant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Ernest Truett Whisnant. Mr. Whisnant was a member of Burkemont Baptist Church, and served as a deacon and trustee for the church. He was a retired employee of Broughton Hospital where he worked in maintenance and was a brick mason. Bona was also a farmer and horseman.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Johnson Whisnant of the home; a daughter, Charlotte Harding-Merrill and husband, Reid of Morganton; grandchildren, Amanda Jackson and Dalton Jackson, both of Morganton; brothers, Gorman “Bud” Whisnant, Jim Whisnant and wife, Linda, Richard Whisnant and wife, Mary Ann, and Winfred Whisnant, all of Morganton, David Whisnant and wife, Brenda of Jonesborough, Tenn., and Gene Whisenant and wife, Daphne of Connelly Springs; sisters, Gladys Allman, Lucille Allman and husband, Phifer, Gertrude Clontz and husband, Harold, Elizabeth “Lib” Norville and husband, the Rev. Albert Norville, Sadie Whisenant and husband, Cecil “Pete” Whisenant, and Frances Stamey and husband, James, all of Morganton; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Edward and Ann Dale, and Tommy and Ann Robinson, all of Morganton.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, at Burkemont Baptist Church with the Revs. Mark Pridgen, Eddie Bunton and Burl Sain officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons and members of his Sunday school class.