Vernice Mazie Whisnant

She was born January 21, 1936 to the late Benjamin Luther Hawkins and Hettie Louise Saunders Hawkins of Wilkes County.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Whisnant Jr.; and seven siblings.

She was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Miller Bridge Road in Connelly Springs, a retired hosiery worker, and child care provider. She loved the outside, setting out flowers and shrubs, and mowing the lawn. Vernice's original occupation was working in Textiles but later she worked in Child Care; she then became a caregiver to her husband, Jessie Whisnant Jr.

Survivors include her son, Reginald Whisnant (wife, Maelea) of Hickory; daughter, Tecia Whisnant of Granite Falls; sister, Novella Benfield (husband, Jerry); brothers, Hurley Hawkins of Lenoir and Grady Hawkins (wife, Linda) of Lenoir; two step grandchildren, NonaAnn Faris (Matthew) of Swannanoa and Marshall Faris (wife, Amber) of Hilderbran; grandchildren, Desiree' Blake Icard of Granite Falls and Levi Riley Icard of Granite Falls; great grandchild, Emersyn Rose Icard of Granite Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Monday December 8, 2025 at Kirksey Funeral Home in Morganton with Pastor Curtis Carol officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00PM to 2:00PM. Interment will be held at Burke Memorial Park in Morganton following the service.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kirkseyfh.com

Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton, North Carolina is serving the family.