Martha B. Whisnant

HICKORY - Martha Barrs Whisnant, 75, of Hickory, passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Life Care Center of Banner Elk. Born June 29, 1934, in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Oscar D. and Mittie Stacy Barrs. She was a member of First Baptist Church and attended Sandy Ridge Baptist Church. She retired from Roman Systems as a secretarial manager. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Dean Whisnant; two brothers, Charles and James Barrs; and five sisters, Eula Coutu, Monnie Helton, Faye Ferlin, Evelyn Nistal and Susan Reid. Mrs. Whisnant is survived by two sisters, Jo Ann Barrs of Hickory and Frances Creech of Thomasville, and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Michael Collins officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow in St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery in Newton. Memorials may be made to Palliative Care of Avery County, 351 W. Mitchell St., P.O. Box 1357, Newland, N.C. 28657 or Alzheimer's Association , 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1700, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633. Online condolences may be left for the Whisnant family at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com. Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Martha Barrs Whisnant.

Published in Hickory Daily Record on January 7, 2010