Mary Ellen Deas Whisonant peacefully passed away on October 1, 2023. Born in Rock Hill on March 26, 1931, Mary Ellen was the daughter of the late Olin and Catherine Deas. Mary Ellen was a strong, compassionate person who devoted her life to loving and caring for her family. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, arranging flowers, planning “big dinners”, and decorating for holidays.
Mary Ellen will be remembered for her beautiful smile, contagious laugh, her own endless “Sweet 16” birthday parties, and of course her red lipstick. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Forest Eben Whisonant; her son, Jimmy Earl Whisonant; her parents, Olin and Catherine Deas; her mother-in-law, Ruby Whelchel Whisonant; her brothers, William “Bill” Deas and Levy Deas; and her daughter-in-law, Shari Brooks Whisonant.
She is survived by her children, Charles Eben (Jean) Whisonant; William Olin “Bill” (Deloris) Whisonant, James “Kevin” (Samantha) Whisonant, Melisa Ann (Brian) Smith, Cathy Diana Whisonant; her brother, Ray (Clara) Deas; her grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley), Zeke, Sunny (Jacob), Heather (Donnie), Ashley (Justin), Hannah, Catie, and Eben; her great-grandchildren, Weston, Gray, Carter, Zane, Oliver, Ophelia, Osprey, Jase, Scarlet; and her special cousins, nieces, and nephews who brought great joy to Mary Ellen’s life.
The family will receive visitors from 5:30PM to 7:30PM on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732. A graveside service will be held on Friday at 11:00AM at Forest Hills Cemetery, 4290 Old York Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Because of her fondness of children, Mary Ellen supported the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for over twenty years. Memorials may be sent in her name to stjude.org.