Morene Burnette Whitworth, 88, of Boone, North Carolina, passed away on September 17, 2023 after a brief illness.
In addition to her parents, Mr. Francis Emory Burnette and Mrs. Jesse Sisk Burnette, she was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Virlyn Whitworth, and her brothers and sisters, Jack Otis Burnette, Roy Wesley Burnette, Frances Edith Burnette, Mary Callie Burnette Juanita Burnette, Linnie Wood Andrews, and Ralph Burnette.
She is survived by her son Joel Whitworth (Jean Allise Whitworth), grandchildren Aaron Whitworth (Emily Bryant Whitworth) and Emily Talley (Kyle Talley), great-granddaughter Ada Liisa Talley, and several nieces and nephews.
Morene was born on March 7, 1935 to Mr. Francis Emory Burnette and Mrs. Jesse Sisk Burnette in Douglasville, Georgia. She graduated from Douglas County High School in 1952, where she played basketball at a time when girls wore skirts and played with only six team members. The week after graduation, she started her first job at the State of Georgia Highway Department as secretary to the Commissioner. She later transferred to the Governor’s office where she served as secretary to four Georgia governors.
In 1952, Morene married Johnny Virlyn Whitworth in Douglasville, Georgia. Morene and Johnny had one child, Joel Wayne Whitworth. She and her late husband, Virlyn, were active members of CrossPoint Christian Church in Conyers GA, where Morene sang in the choir.
Morene lived in Georgia her whole life until variables associated with the recent pandemic required her to leave her beloved state. She was a lifelong Braves fan and remained a diehard supporter of the Georgia Bulldogs.
Following her move to North Carolina, Morene found a warm welcome and new friends within the Appalachian Brian Estates community located in the NC High Country. She enjoyed the fall colors and the snowfalls offered in the area, and being close to her great-granddaughter, Ada. Morene loved her family, both immediate and extended. She loved her work at the state Capitol and had a memory for names that was beyond belief. At one time, she personally knew almost every politician in Georgia…and had her photo made with most of them.
Memorial services will be held in Atlanta, GA and Boone, NC. Details will be specified at a later date.
In addition to her parents, Mr. Francis Emory Burnette and Mrs. Jesse Sisk Burnette, she was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Virlyn Whitworth, and her brothers and sisters, Jack Otis Burnette, Roy Wesley Burnette, Frances Edith Burnette, Mary Callie Burnette Juanita Burnette, Linnie Wood Andrews, and Ralph Burnette.
She is survived by her son Joel Whitworth (Jean Allise Whitworth), grandchildren Aaron Whitworth (Emily Bryant Whitworth) and Emily Talley (Kyle Talley), great-granddaughter Ada Liisa Talley, and several nieces and nephews.
Morene was born on March 7, 1935 to Mr. Francis Emory Burnette and Mrs. Jesse Sisk Burnette in Douglasville, Georgia. She graduated from Douglas County High School in 1952, where she played basketball at a time when girls wore skirts and played with only six team members. The week after graduation, she started her first job at the State of Georgia Highway Department as secretary to the Commissioner. She later transferred to the Governor’s office where she served as secretary to four Georgia governors.
In 1952, Morene married Johnny Virlyn Whitworth in Douglasville, Georgia. Morene and Johnny had one child, Joel Wayne Whitworth. She and her late husband, Virlyn, were active members of CrossPoint Christian Church in Conyers GA, where Morene sang in the choir.
Morene lived in Georgia her whole life until variables associated with the recent pandemic required her to leave her beloved state. She was a lifelong Braves fan and remained a diehard supporter of the Georgia Bulldogs.
Following her move to North Carolina, Morene found a warm welcome and new friends within the Appalachian Brian Estates community located in the NC High Country. She enjoyed the fall colors and the snowfalls offered in the area, and being close to her great-granddaughter, Ada. Morene loved her family, both immediate and extended. She loved her work at the state Capitol and had a memory for names that was beyond belief. At one time, she personally knew almost every politician in Georgia…and had her photo made with most of them.
Memorial services will be held in Atlanta, GA and Boone, NC. Details will be specified at a later date.
Memorial Service
11am, October 21, 2023
Hickory Funeral Home
1031 11th Ave Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Hickory Funeral Home
1031 11th Ave Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602
10:30 visitation
11:00 service
12:00 Carolina BBQ
11:00 service
12:00 Carolina BBQ
Out-of-town guests may consider 2nd Street Inn for lodging.
To help the caterer prepare, please respond below by October 14
To help the caterer prepare, please respond below by October 14
Appalachian Brian Service
4:15pm October 4, 2023
Appalachian Brian Estates
Boone, NC
Appalachian Brian Estates
Boone, NC
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Appalachian Brian Estates in Boone, North Carolina. Telephone the front desk for information on how to donate: (828) 264-1006.