Cleatus Whisnant Jr.

CHARLOTTE - Mr. Cleatus "J.R" Whisnant Jr., 83, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2001, at Belaire Health Care Center in Gastonia.

A native of Rutherford County, he was born March 27, 1918, the son of the late David Cleatus and Girtha Robbins Whisnant. He became associated with Piedmont Tool and Plumbing Supplies 54 years ago and since 1969 has been its owner and operator. During World War II, he served in the Army and was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 383.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Melba Jolley Whisnant, who died in 1998.

He is survived by his son, Gene Whisnant of Sunriver, Ore.; three daughters, Gail Adams of Columbia, S.C., Teresa Clary of Gastonia and Debbie Boone of Lenoir; seven grandchildren, Todd Whisnant, Leslie Shaneman, Robby Adams, Kevin Clary, Blake Wilson, Dana Boone and Taylor Boone; two great-grandsons; a sister, Adean Cobb of Ellenboro; and a brother, Robert Whisnant of Ellenboro.

The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Hankins and Whittington Dilworth Chapel with Bill Cobb officiating. Burial with military honors by the American Legion will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.