Shirley Barnett Whiteside, age 78, of Forest Hills Apartments in Burnsville, NC, entered this life on March 30th, 1945, and departed to her Heavenly Home on April 15th, 2023. She was the daughter of Columbus and Charlotte Young Barnett. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Donald “Coy” Barnett and Derwin Barnett; son-in-law, Gordon Young; and former husband and father to her children, William Harrison Whiteside, Sr.
Shirley was a beloved mother who raised her children by herself and instilled in them her devotion of Christian faith, as well as keeping them in 4-H which taught them morals and life lessons. She was a member of Griffith Chapel Church for 30 years where she served as a Sunday school and Bible studies teacher, sang in the choir, and taught black history. She was one of the first African-American students in the integrated schools of Yancey County, and was a life member of the NAACP.
She is survived by two daughters: Laura Young of Hickory and Kimberly Whiteside of Marion; son, Bill Whiteside and wife, Roberta of Burnsville; four grandchildren: Laura “Rudy” Young, Sunnee Young, James Young and Buddy Harrison Whiteside; one special grandson, Elijah; two great-grandchildren: Johnny Rashawn Lynch and Nerina Mae Young; two step-sisters: Renee Hammonds (Eddie) and Cassandra Malcuit (Christopher), both of Burnsville; aunt, Gwen Shade of Burnsville; and special friends of Vians Valley Presbyterian Church. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and co-workers at Roses.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19th at Griffith Chapel Church. Rev. Bill Whiteside, Rev. Richard Blanton, Rev. William Ray, Minister Robert Tate and Rev. Arrell Rutherford, Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the funeral service. Her body will lie in state for others to come by and pay their respects anytime after 12 noon on Tuesday, April 18th in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Andre´ Barnett, Rashan Lee, Sam Maren, Terrill Brooks, Casey Edwards and Harold “Blue” Young.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kermit Banks, Gary Banks, Gary Pyatt, Rick Brady, Joey Shade, Kenny Shade and Ossie Parker.
Memorial donations may be made to Vians Valley Presbyterian Church at PO Box 202, Bakersville, NC 28705.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
