Thelma Viola Kirby Whisnant Jackson

Thelma Viola Kirby Whisnant Jackson, 90, of Newton, NC died Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Conover Nursing and Rehab Center following a period of declining health.  She was the youngest and last surviving child of the late James Jethro Kirby and Sarah Ann Kirby of Happy Valley, NC.  In addition to her parents, Viola was preceded in death by her first husband, James Daniel Whisnant, Sr. (1994); her second husband, Johnnie W. Jackson (2001); her youngest son, Tommy Dean Whisnant; and her step-grandson, Stephen Barker.  Viola’s hobbies were flower gardening and quilting, and cooking, which she enjoyed doing for family and friends.

Mrs. Jackson is survived by her son, James Daniel “J.D.” Whisnant, Jr. and his wife, Peggy; a daughter, Janet Lingafelt and her husband, Dave; a daughter-in-law, Lynn Barker Whisnant; grandchildren, Elizabeth Lingafelt, James Daniel Whisnant, III, and Dana Whisnant Arpin and her husband, David; a great-grandson, Nathaniel Layne Whisnant and his wife, Tilda; step-children, Vicki Hickcox and her husband, Jeff, and Michael Edwards and his wife, Kerri; step-grandchildren, Brittany Hickcox, Lauren Hickcox, Logan Edwards, and Lindsey Edwards; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 30, 2016 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Rick Schilling (Oakley United Methodist Church in Asheville) and Dave Lingafelt (who was more like a son than a son-in-law) officiating.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home following the service.  A private cryptside service will be held at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Conover Nursing and Rehab Center, Resident Activity Fund, 920 4^th Street SW, Conover, NC 28613.

The family wishes to thank the loving, dedicated staff at Conover Nursing and Rehab Center for their many years of care.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.