Horace Martin Whisnant, age 85 of Forest City, died Wednesday, March 27, 2024.  Horace was born on April 7, 1938, in Rutherford County and he was a son of the late Millard and Gussie Terry Whisnant. 

Horace was a dedicated schoolteacher having received his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Carolina University and his Masters of Education from Appalachian State University.  Teaching was his passion and he taught 7th and 8th grade students at Union Mills School until his retirement in 1993. 

He was a lifelong Baptist who enjoyed sports, especially the North Carolina Tarheels. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Elise Whisnant in 1999, brothers, Norris Whisnant, Ralph Whisnant, and Paul Terry as well as a sister, Juanita Padgett.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Brenda Williams Whisnant of the home, his daughters, Tina Whisnant Sinicki and husband Tim of Vestal, New York, and Denise Whisnant of Rutherfordton, his brother, Steve Whisnant of Florida, and three grandchildren, Allison, Tanner, and Ashley Sinicki,

The funeral service will be held at 11 o’clock on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in The Padgett and King Chapel.  Interment will follow at the Rutherfordton City Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 o’clock prior to the service at the mortuary. 

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at padgettking.com