Mackie Funeral Home LLC

35 Duke St.

P.O. Drawer 525

Granite Falls, NC 28630

Phone: (828) 396-3385

Fax: (828) 396-4055

Email: joann@mackiefh.com

Immediate Need

If you have immediate need of our services, we're available for you 24 hours a day.

Pre-Arrangement

A gift to your family, sparing them hard decisions at an emotional time.

Obituaries & Tributes

It is not always possible to pay respects in person, so we hope that this small token will help.

Order Flowers

Offer a gift of comfort and beauty to a family suffering from loss.

Our Staff

All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.

Ed Whisenant, Owner of Mackie Funeral Home
Email: ed@mackiefh.com
Office Phone: 828-396-3385
Fax: 828-396-4055

Ed and wife Jeana Abee Whisenant live in the Rutherford College community. His first wife, Lois Starnes Whisenant who passed away unexpectedly on May 19, 2001 they were married for twenty years and were blessed with a son, Benjamin, and wife Alisha both of Baton Community and Ed has a daughter Brooke Yount who works as a teacher for Caldwell County School and lives in the Dudley Shoals community. Ed married Lori Lane Whisenant in 2002 and they were married for just over eight years before she passed away after a four plus year battle with ALS. Ed &Jeana are also proud G-Daddy, & G-Mommie of a beautiful granddaughter KirbyAnn Lane Whisenant, who is expecting a baby brother in august.
Ed is past President of Granite Falls Lions Club, member of Hickory Masonic Lodge 323 and the Hibriten Lodge 262 and York Rite as well as a member of the Charlotte Shriners. He has been involved in church mission trips to Guatamala, and Antiqua.
In early 2015, Ed was introduced to Jeana who was the Principal of Rutherford College Elementary. They began to date and Jeana instructed him that she had to know him for all four seasons, which he complied with. After just over a year of courtship he asked for her hand in marriage. They were married Valentine's Day at the Inn on Biltmore Estate in a small private ceremony. Jeana brings to the marriage two sons; Rob Gallagher of Charlotte and Alex Gallagher who lives and works in Portland Oregan. Jeana announced her retirement from Burke County Public Schools and has agreed to help Ed with their funeral home business. Ed hopes to spend more leisure time with his wife, their families and friends.

Jeana Abee Whisenant, Co-Owner Assistant Office Administrator / Family Counselor
Office Phone: 828 396-3385
Fax: 828 396-4055

Jeana is married to Ed Whisenant and lives in the Rutherford College Community. She and Ed are members of First United Methodist Church of Granite Falls. Jeana is retired from the Burke County School System, where she served as a kindergarten teacher, middle school assistant principal, elementary principal and retired as a middle school principal. She is the mother of two sons, Rob Gallagher of Charlotte and Alex Gallagher of Portland Oregon. Jeana grew up in the First Baptist Church of Valdese and after moving to Morganton to look after family, she joined The First Baptist Church of Morganton. She enjoys spending time with her many friends from Rutherford College, Valdese, Drexel and Morganton. Jeana loves entertaining and making memories with her new family, Ben, Alisha, Brooke, Lib and Floyd and she has a special love for new grand daughter KirbyAnn.

JoAnn Knepp, Office Administrator
Email: joann@mackiefh.com
Office Phone: 828 396-3385
Fax: 828 396-4055

She was born and grew up in Rutherford County. Moved to Caldwell County when she married Russ Knepp in 1975. They have three sons and four grandchildren whom they enjoy very much. Jo Ann retired from Caldwell County Health Department December 31, 2012, where she served the county as Deputy Registrar for birth and death certificates. She came to work at Mackie Funeral Home March 1, 2013 part-time. She loves her work at Mackie and helping families during a time of great of sorrow in their lives. She is member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Dudley Shoals.

William Allen Spencer, Funeral Director Assistant
Office Phone: 828-396-3385
Fax: 828-396-4055

Allen is married to Paula "PJ" Spencer and lives in the Rhodhiss Community.
Allen serves as town council member and mayor pro-temp, he serves on the Western Piedmont Council of Government. Allen is retired from the Town of Granite Falls, department of public works. Allen and PJ enjoy traveling, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Allen is committed to saving the environment by being "The King" of recycling.

Maerie VanDuzer, Funeral Director

Maerie lives in Lenoir with her son and mother. She grew up in upstate New York. She is an active member of her church. Maerie obtained her A.A.S. in Mortuary Sciences in May of 2016.

Benjamin Whisenant, Funeral Director Assistant
Office Phone: 828 396-3385
Fax: 828 396-4055

Ben is a Graduate of South Caldwell High School, married to Alisha Church Whisenant, and the proud father of their little girl KirbyAnn Whisenant. Ben works full time with A-1 Termite and Pest Control and is a first responder and member of the Sawmills Fire Department. Ben enjoys hunting, fishing and church softball and is a member of Dry Ponds Baptist Church.

Floyd Hayes, Funeral Director Assistant
Office Phone: 828 396-3385
Fax: 828 396-4055

Floyd is married to loving wife Libby, they live in the Bethlehem Community. Floyd is a member of Antioch Baptist Church. Both he and Libby are very involved in the children's ministries in the church. Floyd is a retired truck driver for Krohler Furniture over 35 years. Floyd would go with you to the edge of the earth if he could do the driving. He enjoys working outdoors, and loves giving family and friends a helping hand no matter what the task. He is known to all the children of the church and family as " Uncle Floydie".

D.C Hefner, Funeral Director Assistant
Office Phone: 828-396-3385
Fax: 828-396-4055

D.C. Hefner reside on Pinewood Road in Granite Falls with his wife, Vonda, of 53 years. They have two children, Angela Turnmire and Chris Hefner, and five grandchildren. D.C. retired from Hickory Chair Company after 43 years. He has been employed at Mackie Funeral Home for eight years. D.C. attends Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hudson where he serves as a Deacon and is a member of the Adult Choir. He is a volunteer at Caldwell Hospice. D.C. enjoys gardening, yard work, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren. D.C. counts it a privilege being able to minister to families through Mackie Funeral Home.

Jerry Anderson, Funeral Director Assistant
Office Phone: 828-396-3385

Jerry and wife Glenna reside in the Oak Hill Community of Caldwell Co.
He and his wife attend First Baptist Church in Hudson where Jerry has
served as a Sunday School teacher and as a member of the Board of
Deacons. Jerry grew up in Wilkes Co. and attended Wilkes Central High
School Class of 1964 and furthered his education at Gardner Webb College.
He is a proud veteran of the United States Army and served in Vietnam.
Jerry is retired from the NC Farm Bureau Insurance and once owned Action
Tire and Auto. He enjoys meeting families and working in the funeral
industry.

Paul Murphy, Funeral Director Assistant
Office Phone: 828-396-3385
Fax: 828 396-4055

Paul and wife Jana live in the Hudson Community. He is the father of Nicole Carpenter, Jason Nichols, Hunter Murphy and Emma Murphy. Paul retired after 30 yrs in law enforcement, serving in the Lenoir, Granite Falls and Hickory Police Departments. He is a member of Hickory Masonic Lodge 323 and Hibriten Masonic Lodge 262 and member of the Knights of Solomon. Paul is a life member of Gunpowder Creek Regulators and the Single Action Shooting Society. Paul enjoys spending time with his children and riding his motorcycle,and spending time with friends at the "Cowboy Club"

Charles M. Bowman, Funeral Director Assistant
Office Phone: 828-396-3385
Fax: 828-396-4055

Charles M. "Mike" Bowman is a Granite Falls native who has been a part time employee of Mackie Funeral Home. He is retired from Duke Energy.

Mike and his wife Cheryl are members of Granite Falls First United Methodist Church where he is active in the Methodist Men's Association and serves on the board of trustees.

Mike enjoys playing golf and working in his yard.

Johnny D. Hart, Funeral Director Assistant / Employee Trainer
Office Phone: 828-396-3385
Fax: 828-396-4055

Johnny was born in Granite Falls to the late Hub and Grace Hart. He completed Granite Falls Elementary and Granite Falls High School. After finishing high school, He served in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He has worked at Mackie for over 20 years and he is a member of Concord Baptist Church in Granite Falls. Married to Doris Caldwell Hart, they have two sons, Darren and wife Cheryl and their grandchildren, Alex and Bailey of Granite Falls and our son, Derrick of Cary, North Carolina.
Since retiring Johnny has been involved in training new staff members to replace him in years to come allowing him to spend more time with his grandchildren.