Myrtle Luetta Whiteside

Myrtle Luetta Whiteside, 83, formerly of Nevada, passed away May 21, 2014, at the Carthage Health & Rehabilitation Center, in Carthage, following a lengthy illness.

She was born July 21, 1930, in Milo, to Ralph Wesley and Mildred Evelyn (Hiestand) Fanning and grew up in and around the Nevada area with her five brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1948 where she was affectionately known as "Red." On June 30, 1948, she was united in marriage to Adhn Lee Whiteside, of Moundville. He preceded her in death in April 1999.

Most of her married life was spent on the family farm west of Moundville until 1993, when she moved to Nevada. In addition to maintaining a home for her family, she also worked for Key Industries, Edmonston's Clothing Store, the Nevada Elementary, Junior and Senior High School cafeterias, the Nevada City Hospital, and the Ferry Funeral Home. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Nevada. She enjoyed traveling and singing in her church's senior choir.

Survivors include her three sons, Larry Whiteside and his wife, Sammy, of Neosho, Terry Whiteside and his wife, Joy, of Houston, Texas, and James Whiteside and his wife, Amy, of Warrenton; three grandchildren, Melanie Whiteside Whittlesey, Joshua Whiteside, and Taylor Whiteside; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Roberta Fanning Handyside, of Buffalo, N.Y., and Marjorie Fanning Swanson, of Higginsville; two brothers, Norvell Fanning, of Independence, and Melvin Fanning, of Springfield; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Ivan, Dwight, and Raymond (Bob) Fanning.

Funeral services for Myrtle Luetta Whiteside are scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24, at the Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with the Rev. Melvin Fanning officiating. Interment will follow in the Welborn Cemetery, in Moundville. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., just prior to the service, also at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the Welborn Cemetery or the Alzheimer's Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home. Friends may call now and until the hour of service.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.