Hobbie Ray Whitener

Mr. Hobbie Whitener, age 90, of Marble, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2007 at Murphy Medical Center. He was born Saturday, April 1, 1916 in Cherokee Co. NC to the late J.H. Whitener and the late Bettie Coleman Whitener. He was a member of Ogreeta Baptist Church, Cherokee Masonic Lodge #146 F&AM, and an Army WWII Veteran. Hobbie was a master musician, learning to play the banjo at the age of seven. He was also well known for his guitar playing and singing with his wife Louceil at church, nursing homes and community benefits. He was an avid gardener and was able to continue enjoying his vegetable garden through this past fall. He was preceded in death by son, Doyle Ray Whitener, brothers, Anderson Whitener, Alfred Whitener, Dillard Whitener, Sheridan Whitener, and Howard Whitener, sisters, Hattie Fain, Elsie Rose and Nina Whitener..

Survivors include: wife, Louceil Thompson Whitener, daughter & son-in-law, Shirley & Melvin Beaver of Murphy, daughter & son-in-law, Phyllis & Steve Coleman of Marietta, sister, Ida Kidd of Murphy, sister, Miza Parris of Lowell, NC, grandchildren, Stephen & Jadrien Beaver, grandchildren, Roger & Michelle Beaver, grandchildren, Eric &Michelle Coleman Sneed, grandchildren, Jonathon & Ashley Coleman Cronon, great-grandchildren, Brittany, Lauren, Leigha & Dylan Beaver, great-grandchildren, Michael, Stephen, Christopher & Kaitlyn Sneed, great-grandchild, Mackenzie Cronon.

Funeral services were held Monday, January 22, 2007 at 2:00PM from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Ronnie Palmer, Reverend Wayne Johnson, and Reverend Calvin Murphy officiating. Music was provided by Sonny Reighard Trio and Sarah Wilson. Interment followed in Greenlawn Cemetery with military honors by Local Veteran Organization. Serving as pallbearers were: Stephen Beaver, Roger Beaver, Eric Sneed, Jonathon Cronon, Austin Beaver, Franklin Barnett. Honorary pallbearers included: Nephews.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.