John L. Whisnant

John L. Whisnant, Sr., 83 of Morganton, NC died Monday, December 23, 2013 at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte. He was born in Burke County on April 27, 1930 and was a son of the late Daniel Roscoe Whisnant and Minnie Whisnant Whisnant. John was president of WCIS Radio and was co-founder of The Whisnant’s, a southern Gospel ministry that has traveled extensively and is still performing today. He was a member of Grandview Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for 55 years and also served as treasurer and Sunday School teacher. John lived his life in the service of others. He was also a U. S. Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict.A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Harris Whisnant; sons, Rev. John L. Whisnant, Jr. and his wife, Susan Rudisill Whisnant and Jeffrey K. Whisnant and his wife, Susan Dry Whisnant all of Morganton; grandchildren Caleb, Elizabeth, Austin and Ethan Whisnant; and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by brothers, Roscoe Whisnant, Jr., James Whisnant, and Paul Whisnant, and by sisters, Dorothy Baker, Rachel Baker, and Peggy Eastwood.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Grandview Baptist Church with Rev. Kenny Baker, Rev. Roland Dry, and Rev. John Whisnant, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the NC Nation Guard. The family will receive friends Saturday at the church from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Grandview Baptist Church, 1290 Harris Whisnant Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.