India Gertrude Whisenant, 81, of Lilly Haven, W.Va., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, W.Va., following a lengthy illness. Her loving son was by her side at the time of her passing, and other loved ones joined them remotely by phone because of COVID-19-related restrictions. Born on August 15, 1939, to the Reverend Elva Brown and Delphia Bailey Brown of Lorado, W.Va., in Logan County, she grew up in Kopperston, W.Va. After graduating from Oceana High School in 1957, she married the love of her life, Benny Joe Whisenant, in 1958. Gertrude gave birth to their son, Michael David Whisenant, in 1962. A treasured wife, mother, and grandmother, she devoted her life to caring for her family, which was the accomplishment in her life of which she was proudest. Her favorite pastimes included going to church, reading the Bible, and watching Charles Stanley’s sermons on television. She was a standing member of Bright Prospect Baptist Church and Lilly Haven Baptist Church. She also often attended Pineville Southern Baptist Church with her brother Horace and his wife Barbara, experiences of which she had fond memories. She loved spending time with her family, and she was blessed to be able to enjoy 25 years of retirement with her beloved husband, from 1989 until his death in 2015. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren, and she loved regaling them with tales from her childhood, especially her youthful adventures with her brother Horace. She also loved being involved in her community, and she looked forward to every opportunity to talk to people she ran into on trips to the Oceana Post Office and Goodson’s Supermarket, many of whom will fondly remember her as a caring and spirited friend. While she never got over the loss of her beloved husband, she was comforted in her final years by time spent talking with her neighbor and special friend, Helen Hamrick Cook. She also took solace in her devout Faith in Jesus Christ. In her final days she often said, “I served the Good Master above, and He will take care of me.” Her final words uttered on Earth were “Let’s go Home.”
In addition to her parents and her husband, she is preceded in death by eight siblings: Shelby, Norman, Horace, Fannie, Lacy, Gracie, Roy, and Troy Brown.
She is survived by her loving son, Michael David Whisenant, and his wife Darva Geneva of Crab Orchard, W.Va.; two grandchildren, Caleb Brewster Whisenant of Crab Orchard, W.Va., and Kelsey Dawn Whisenant of Beckley, W.Va.; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 02, 2021, in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, W.Va., with Rev. Algie Cook and Rev. James Walker officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Benny Joe, in Palm Memorial Gardens in Matheny, W.Va. Visitation with family will be limited because of COVID-19, but guests may arrive beginning at 4:30 PM. Caleb Whisenant, Stevie Brown, Tony Brown, John Craft, Scottie Lusk, Rodney Hamilton, and Josh Hamilton will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Timothy Brown, Valdus Bailey, Philip Clark, Charlie Paynter, Bryant Whisenant, and David Whisenant.
The family is being served by Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.