Grace Abel Whitson

Grace Helen Abel Whitson, 93, of Johnson City, passed to her home in Heaven June 17, 2018, at NHC. She entered this earthly life on April 1, 1925, to her beloved parents Gilbert Greenway and Lucy Gobble Abel. Her father passed in 1931, after being hit by a car when Grace was only six years old. Her mother passed in 1952. Grace was the youngest of eight children: Carl Abel, Gertrude Abel Campbell, Fred Abel, Ruby Abel Faucette, Mary Ruth Abel France, Gilbert Abel and Harry Abel and two half-brothers: Albert Persell and Frank Johnson. She was preceded in death by all. Grace married Isaac Whitson of Johnson City in September of 1948, and they were together until he passed in October,1983. She was also preceded in death by a baby daughter on her birthday, April 1, 1949, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nephews and a niece she loved dearly. She graduated from Science Hill High School in 1943. Grace resided in Johnson City except for four years that she and her family lived in Winston Salem, NC. Grace greatly exceeded any definition of a housewife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt or friend. As she raised her seven children, spaced twenty years apart, she had at least one child attending school for thirty-three years straight. Her home was always a welcoming place for the children in the neighborhood especially on Delaware Street in the 40s, 50s and 60s and on Johnson Avenue in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Grace always put her family?s needs first and placed her own needs last. She was an amazing cook, especially her spaghetti sauce, meatloaf, potato salad and seven-minute frosting. Grace had a talent for drawing and her lady?s beautiful face sketches could be found on most every piece of paper throughout her home. Grace was a Christian of the Baptist faith. Grace is survived by her loving family: sons, Gary Fair (wife Sandra) of Jonesborough, Rick Whitson and Jeff Whitson (wife Kathleen) of Johnson City; daughters, Nancy Whitson Story (husband Jerry) of Jonesborough, Cindy Whitson Wolford and Kittye Whitson Hirsch (husband Jamie) of Johnson City and Amy Whitson Barr (husband Howell) of Apex, NC; grandchildren, Kim Story Dagnan, Jared Story, Audrey Story, Ben Fair, Spencer Fair, Justin Whitson, Jeremy Whitson, John Barr, Avery Barr, Joseph Barr, Heath Whitson, Clint Gwin and Gabe Hirsch; great-grandchildren, Hunter Crandall, Dillon Perkinson, Chase Dagnan, Esaias Story, Keziah Story, Caleb Fair, Aydan Fair, Caspian Fair, Kenlee Whitson, Gemma Whitson, Brigid Whitson, Abigayle Whitson, Sophia Hirsch and Madeline Fair being born in June; great-great granddaughters, Brynna Crandall and Kensleigh Huff; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Grace Helen Abel Whitson?s family greatly appreciates the care given to our Mother by Dr. Michael Grosserode, Dr. Ahmed Kahn, NHC staff and Caris Hospice staff. The Family of Grace Helen Abel Whitson will receive friends Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 PM, officiated by her nephews, Mike Abel, Terry Abel and Paul Crowe. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, June 22, 2018, at Roselawn Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Grace Whitson?s grandsons.