Obituary of Charles Elsworth Whinna

Charles E. Whinna, III, 93, of Hillsborough, North Carolina died peacefully at home Friday, May 27, 2016 surrounded by his wife and family. Mr. Whinna was born in Camden, New Jersey, February 7, 1923 to Charles E. Whinna, Jr. and Carrie Wilson Whinna. He graduated from Collingswood High School in New Jersey in 1941 and served in the 59th Signal Battalion during World War II. Six months after his discharge from the army, Mr. Whinna married Elizabeth Jackson. He worked at Independent Twine and Yarn while earning an accounting degree from Wharton School of Business. Soon after he was hired by General Electric and moved several times over the years until settling in Wilmington, North Carolina where he retired after 32 years. Through the years Mr. Whinna was involved in community activities working with Junior Achievement and coaching various Little League teams. More importantly, wherever he lived he became actively involved in his church where he taught Sunday School, worked with youth groups, served as a deacon and countless other service opportunities. After retirement he spent time gleaning and visiting those who were sick or shut-in. Mr. Whinna enjoyed golfing, reading, and crossword puzzles. However, he was especially devoted to his family. Through the years, he changed work schedules to spend more time with his children. When his grandchildren arrived, he was sure to go to each birthday celebration and school event. During the summer, his grandchildren would spend several weeks with him going to the beach, the park, the Battleship USS North Carolina, and W-A-L-Ks with the dog. He was preceded in death by daughter, Cora Elizabeth Whinna. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Elizabeth Jackson Whinna; three children, Miriam Whinna Smith (Kevin) of Florence, South Carolina; James Whinna (Karen) of Monroe, North Carolina, and Herbert Whinna (Cheryl) of Hillsborough, North Carolina; eight grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Antioch Baptist Church, 1707 White Cross Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina on June 2, 2016 at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or Holt International, 250 Country Club Rd, Eugene, OR 97401 (designate that the money is for Mr. Charles Whinna's memorial fund and it will be used to expand the deaf school in the Ethiopian village where two of his granddaughters were born.)