Gaynor Maurice Whitesell (1928 - 2022)

Born 29 Apr 1928 in Gibsonville, Guilford, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Lillian Viola (Doby) Whitesell — married 14 Mar 1953 (to 31 Jan 2022) in Sumner Township, Guilford, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 31 Jan 2022 at age 93 in Gibsonville, Alamance, North Carolina

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Allan Capps [send private message]

Biography

Gaynor Maurice Whitesell was born on 29 Apr 1928 in Gibsonville, Guilford County, North Carolina, to James Connie Whitesell (1901-1975) and Gertrude H (Hawkins) Whitesell (1906-1974).^[1] He was born in a house on Farwell Rd. in Gibsonville and grew up at 317 Wood St in Gibsonville.^[2]

On the 1930 Census he was 2 years old and lived with his parents, grandparents, and siblings on Eugene Street in Gibsonville, Guilford County, North Carolina.^[3]

On the 1940 Census, he was 11 years old and lived with his parents, grandmother, and siblings on Wood Street in Gibsonville, Alamance County, North Carolina.^[4]

Gaynor in front of his dad's store ca. 1940

Gaynor's father owned and operated Whitesell's Variety Store in Gibsonville, NC. Gaynor worked in the store and could frequently be found outside the store with his popcorn machine.

Gaynor with his popcorn machine ca. 1949

On 29 Apr 1946 he registered for the World War II draft. He was living in Gibsonville with his parents at the time. He was 5'11" tall, weighed 138 pounds, had blue eyes and brown hair, and a light complextion.^[5]

He graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina in 1946.

On the 1950 Census, he was 21 years old and lived with his parents, grandparents, and siblings on Wood Street in Gibsonville, NC.^[6]

Gaynor joined the United States Coast Guard on 25 Oct 1950. He was stationed onboard the USCGC Columbine in San Francisco, California, from Feb-Dec 1951.^[7]

He began working at Western Electric (later Lucent Technologies) in Burlington, Alamance County, NC in 1952. He retired after more then 37 years as an engineer.

He and Lillian Viola Doby were married on 14 Mar 1953. He was 24 years old and she was 18 at the time. Gilmer Bernard Dodson officiated at his home. They had two children: Ronald Gaynor Whitesell and Kendall Maurice Whitsett.^[8]

Gospel Echoes Viola: far right

Gaynor was a charter/founding member of Whitsett Baptist Church (now First Baptist of Whitsett).^[9] In the early years of the church, Gaynor was a tenor singer in the Gospel Echoes. He remained a member there for the rest of her life, serving as a leader in the Word of Life Olympians program for 40 years, choir member, Sunday School teacher, deacon, trustee, and board member. He was always present when the church doors were open.

Gaynor and Viola traveled with the camper every summer. They covered 49 statesa and every Canadian province. For many years, they family would gather at their house on New Year's Eve to see their vacation slides. They also visited Hawaii and Mexico (without the camper).

He passed away on 31 Jan 2022 at his home in Gibsonville. He was buried at Gibsonville City Cemetery on 12 Feb 2022. He had 2 children and 5 grandchildren.^[10]

Obituary

Gaynor Maurice Whitesell, 93, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 31, 2022.

He was born on April 29, 1928 in Guilford County to the late James "J.C." Connie Whitesell and Gertrude Hawkins Whitesell. He was the husband to Viola Doby Whitesell for 69 years who survives.

Gaynor retired after 37 1⁄2 years with Western Electric/Lucent Technology. He was a founding member of First Baptist Church of Whitsett, a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and former leader with Word of Life Olympians Club. Gaynor enjoyed camping with his family and friends, he and Viola traveled to all 50 states as well as Canada and Mexico.

Survivors other than his wife, Viola include his sons, Ronald "Ronnie" Whitesell and wife Shirley, and Kendall Whitesell and wife Judy; grandchildren, Alan, Caleb, Jacob and Troy Whitesell, Lisa Sturgill and husband Charles as well as nieces and nephews.

Gaynor was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Edna Martines and Rebecca Loye.

The family will receive friends from 1pm till 1:45pm prior to the funeral service at 2:00pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Whitsett with the burial to follow in Gibsonville City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Whitsett, 7006 Burlington Road, Whitsett, NC 27377. You may send condolences to www.lowefuneralhome.com

Additional Photos

Gaynor chillin' in the church fellowship hall

Sources

1. ↑ "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHTQ-FQC : 8 December 2014), Gaynor M Whitsell, 29 Apr 1928; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 31, p. 86, Guilford, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
2. ↑ Information given by Gaynor to his son Ronnie
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X338-YN7 : Fri Aug 04 17:07:38 UTC 2023), Entry for Connie Whitsell and Gertrude Whitsell, 1930.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1940", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW93-RF4 : Sat Jul 22 05:10:20 UTC 2023), Entry for J Connie Whitesell and Gertrude H Whitesell, 1940.
5. ↑ U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 - The National Archives Southeast Region; Atlanta, GA; Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group: RG 147; Class: RG147, North Carolina World War II Draft Registration Cards; Box Number: 393.
6. ↑ "United States 1950 Census", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6FMS-7JWF : Sun Jul 30 01:58:14 UTC 2023), Entry for Edna L Whitsell and Rebecca L Whitsell, 13 April 1950.
7. ↑ Information given to Allan Capps by Gaynor's son, Ronnie.
8. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8B-LK5Q : 9 March 2021), Gaynor Maurice Whitesell and Lillian Viola Doby, 02 Mar 1953; citing Guilford, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 502,351.
9. ↑ History of First Baptist Church of Whitsett, NC.
10. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #236437345 - Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for Gaynor Maurice Whitesell (29 Apr 1928–31 Jan 2022), Find a Grave Memorial ID 236437345, citing Gibsonville City Cemetery, Gibsonville, Guilford County, North Carolina, USA; Maintained by Terry M Whitesell (contributor 47212210).