Ruth Lindley Whisenant went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 3, 2016 at the age of 95. Ruth was born in McKinney, Texas on November 18, 1920 to Charlie and Hattie Lindley. She was the youngest of four children. Her brothers, Erwin Lindley and W. A. “Dub” Lindley, and her sister Gertrude Curtsinger, all preceded her in death. As a young teen, Ruth moved with her family to Allen, Texas. She attended Allen High School where she was the first Allen Eagles cheerleader as well as Valedictorian of her senior class. After completing a year at Texas Women’s University, she married her high school sweetheart, John Milton Whisenant. Together they moved to McKinney, Texas to raise their three sons, Ben, Bill, and David. Both her husband, John, and her son, Bill, preceded her in death. Ruth was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, McKinney, for 75 years. She was honored to be a member of the Naomi Sunday School class, a charter member of Jeanne D’Arc Women’s Club, as well as a member of the Wednesday Book Review and the Collin County Historical Society. Ruth spent her life devoted to her Lord, her family, and her friends. Ruth never met a stranger—she loved people and they loved her right back. She was always full of joy and humor, and loved to tell a good story. Whether playing cards and dominoes, cheering on the Texas Rangers, or dancing the Macarena, Ruth was the life of the party. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Mommu”, especially enjoyed spending time laughing and playing games with her. She was a ready listener and counselor, and would frequently end her conversations with words of affirmation like “I’m proud of you, and I love you.” She was a beautiful example of a joyful life well-lived. All who knew her will treasure the memories and inspiration that will be her legacy.
She is survived by her sons, Ben Whisenant and wife, Betsy, of McKinney, Texas, David Whisenant and wife, Paula, of Dallas, Texas; daughter-in-law, Della Whisenant Best and husband, Bob of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Stacy Whisenant Bengtson and husband, Todd, of Tyler, Texas, Kelly Whisenant Shushok and husband, Frank, of Blacksburg, Virginia, Brook Whisenant and wife, Emily, of McKinney, Texas, Preston Whisenant and wife, Kristen, of Dallas, Texas, Lindley Whisenant Arthur and husband, Stroud, of Dallas, Texas, Hayley Whisenant Crowell and husband, Tommy, of Dallas, Texas; Fifteen great-grandchildren; and two nieces and a nephew.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2016 at First Baptist Church, 1615 W. Louisiana, McKinney, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday evening, May 5, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, “Martha Endowment Scholarship Fund”, 1615 W. Louisiana St., McKinney, Texas 75069, or The Samaritan Inn Homeless Shelter, 1710 N. McDonald, McKinney, Texas 75072.