Margaret Whisman, 82, of Morrow, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, NJ.

Margaret was born and raised in Bassett, Virginia. After graduating high school, she followed her sister Shirleen to Cincinnati Bible Seminary where she earned an associate degree. More importantly, at CBS she met and married Ron Whisman and set off for the adventurous life of a preacher's wife. They served in several churches throughout the South, staying long enough in their ministry in Mississippi to start a family. Margaret had a beautiful, brown-eyed baby girl named Ronda Lee in 1968. Six years later, she and Ron welcomed into the world a rough and tumble baby boy named Ronald David.

In 1978, Ron felt called to the mission field, and the young family followed him to South Africa. They joyfully served there for six years until God called Ron once more, but this time Margaret could not follow. After Ron's death from leukemia in 1984, she and the children moved to Morrow, Ohio to be near Ron's parents. There in Morrow, Margaret raised her children, started a new career, grew lifelong friendships, made memories with her grandchildren, worked in her garden, taught Sunday school, took care of others, and served the Lord alongside her beloved church family at Little Miami Christian Church for 34 years.

Her diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in 2018 marked the beginning of yet another adventure; Margaret moved to New Jersey to be with Ronda and David and their families. Her decline was slow, steady, and graceful; all along she was lovingly cared for by her children and grandchildren.

Margaret was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. But above all, she was a devoted follower of Jesus, and it colored everything about her. She was selfless and kind, always putting others first. She was a true and faithful friend, quick to lend a helping hand, quick to forgive. She was famously frugal with her finances, but only so she could be more generous to others. She always valued and promoted the knowledge of Scripture; she read her Bible every day, led Bible studies in her home, and faithfully attended church services every time the door was open. Margaret was a prayer warrior, and the powerful prayers she prayed continue to bear fruit even now. It is no surprise that her son, her son-in-law, and all three grandsons are preachers and that everyone in her family knows and loves the Lord.

Margaret is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and Paul Ponchot; their children, Jill (Jonathan), Chris (Grace), and Kayla; her son and daughter-in-law, David and Amy Whisman; their children, Michael (Abi), Megan, Joshua (Reagan), and Rachel; and her four sweet great grandbabies, Susan and Jane Ponchot, and Ronnie and Sam Whisman. She is also survived by her sister Ruth (Bobby) Ashby, her sister Shirleen Vaughan, her brother Joe (Irma) Varner, her brother Anthony (Sharon) Varner, her brother Mike (Donna) Varner, her baby sister Frances (Lester) Perdue, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, August 8 at 10:00 am at the Mount Hermon Church of the Brethren in Bassett, Virginia.
144 Mount Hermon Church Road
Bassett, Virginia 24055