Melvin Whisnant Obituary, Death – On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, both Annie Mae Cook Whisnant, age 87, and Melvin Harris Whisnant, age 94, residents of Valdese, passed away at the same time. Both Annie Mae and her brother Melvin were born in Burke County to their respective sets of parents, the late Samuel Coleman Cook and Mary Ethel Moody Cook for Annie Mae, and Willie and Bertha Harris Whisnant for Melvin. Both sets of parents have now passed away (his parents). When they began their active involvement in the activities of the High Peak Baptist church, the Whisnants had already been married for 72 years.
Before he retired, Melvin spent many years working at Drexel Heritage, and he regarded his time there as some of the best of his life. Annie Mae spent a chunk of her life working in restaurants, but the vast majority of her time was devoted to taking care of her home and making sure that her family had all they needed. Their daughter’s name is Judy Whisnant Auton; their grandchildren’s names are Tammy Whisnant and Scott Franklin (Tonya); and their great-names grandchildren’s are Tyler, Jasmine, Christopher, Tegan, and McKinsie. Their daughter is the only living descendant of Melvin and Annie Mae. Melvin has two sisters left alive, and their names are Alice Shull and Betty Abee.
A brother will go on after Melvin’s passing as well. Mr. and Mrs. Whisnant were not only preceded in death by their own parents, but also by their son, Boyd Whisnant, as well as all of their other brothers and sisters. At High Peak Baptist Church on the afternoon of Sunday, December 18, between the hours of 2:00 and 3:00, the family will receive visitors in memory of their loved one. At three o’clock in the afternoon, the funeral will take place at the church, and Dr. Kevin Purcell will preside over the service. Following the conclusion of the funeral services, the body will be interred in the church cemetery. You are welcome to make memorial contributions to either the High Peak Baptist Church or the Amorem Hospice of Burke County. Both organizations are doing important work in the community.
