Jean Lee Whisnant Fishel

Jean Lee Whisnant Fishel, 74, of Winston-salem died Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at Forsyth Medical Center after a brief illness. Jean was born April 2, 1931, in Forsyth County, the youngest of six children, to Robert Isaac and Annabelle Fleming Whisnant. She graduated in 1949 from Mineral Springs High School. On Nov. 26, 1949, she married Winfred Austin Fishel in Mineral Springs Baptist Church. Jean was retired from Haverty's Furniture Co. with 47 years of service. She was a former volunteer at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Jean was preceded in death by her brothers, Bill and Bob Whisnant; and sisters Hazel Parker and Sue Nichols. On June 29, 2004, her devoted husband, Wimp, passed away; followed by her son-in-law, Ricky Welch, on July 4, 2004. For the past 11 months, Jean embraced life and those around her. She was a devoted member of Griffith Baptist Church for more than 40 years. Jean is survived by her loving daughter, Karen Welch; grandson Cory Welch; sister Joyce (Ken) Foster; brothers-in-law Roger Nichols and Charles (Hazel) Fishel; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 am. Friday, May 20, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, with Dr. Robert Long and Mr. Vernon Hood officiating. Burial will follow in Friedberg Moravian Church graveyard, The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today, May 19, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Griffith Baptist Church Building Fund, 1987 Old Salisbury Road, Winston-salem, NC 27127, or Friedberg Moravian Church Graveyard Fund, 2178 Friedberg Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127. The family wishes to thank the ICU-3 staff at Forsyth Medical Center for all their kindness and support.

Published in the Winston-salem Journal on 5/19/2005.