Mary Whisnant

Mary Ann Whisnant, 68, of Shuffler Road, Morganton, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2009, following a period of declining health. Born Nov. 29, 1940, in Burke County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie Garfield Saulman and Lois Holder Clark. Mary Ann was a retired employee of Burke County public schools and a member of Catawba Valley Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Herman Richard Whisnant of the home; a daughter, Patricia Coleman and her husband, Jim, of Morganton; a son, Kenneth Whisnant of Morganton; a grandchild, Cory Whisnant and his mother, Kim; a brother, Charles Saulman and his wife, Helen, of Morganton; a brother-in-law, William "Bill" Smith; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Charlie Mae Smith; and a brother, Ervin Saulman. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Eddy Bunton and Chaplain William Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the residence on Shuffler Road, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burkemont Baptist Church Building Fund, 4668 Burkemont Road, Morganton, NC 28655.