Fina Bell Jones Whitener

FINA BELLE JONES WHITENER LEICESTER - A few months shy of her 100th birthday, Fina Belle Jones Whitener died on March 15, 2011 in the loving care of family and friends at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville. The daughter of Frank Jones and Vianna Waldroup Jones, Mrs. Whitener was born on June 28, 1911, in Leicester, N.C. A lifelong member of Bell United Methodist Church, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Odell Whitener, and siblings Blanche, George, Clinton, Wayne, Charlie, Mont and Paul Jones. She was also preceded by special friends Houston Stevens, Betty Cole, and Dot Hansell. Mrs. Whitener, a true matriarch blessed with 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews, was the proud mother of Robert Whitener (deceased) of Conyers, Ga., Marie Whitener of Leicester, N.C., Mary Bryson of Grand Blanc, Mich., and Donald Whitener of Leicester, N.C. She is survived by an extended family including Ginger Hicks of Dahlonega, Ga., Vera Robinson of Black Mountain, N.C., and Dr. Harold Goforth of Chapel Hill, N.C. Those who knew Fina admired her strong will, her loyalty to friends and family, her love of flowers and birds, and her skill as a seamstress. A masterful baker, Mrs. Whitener made sure all who entered her home were treated, and fed, like family. Special thanks to loving granddaughters Aimee Pope and Myra "Sissy" Weeks, and friends Cat Shepard, Marlene Webb, and Maggie Craig, for their unwavering and watchful care. A funeral will be held 2:00 PM on Friday March 18th at Bell United Methodist Church, Leicester with Reverend Edna Riggs and Reverend Dustin D. James officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at church, and at other times will be at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to Bell Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mary Jo Ball, PO Box 581, Leicester, NC 28748 or the Leicester Fire Department, PO Box 100, Leicester, NC 28748.