Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 17, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Mary Jane Whittington, 86, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023.  She was born December 7, 1936, in Gastonia, NC to Hoke J. Hanna, Sr. and Georgia Cloninger Hanna.

Mary Jane graduated from Gastonia High School, Class of 1955, and UNC Greensboro (formerly Women’s College).

Mary Jane loved her older brothers and thanks to them she learned to make a slingshot, play poker, and love sports of all kinds.  She was an ardent fan of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and UNC Chapel Hill basketball and football.

Mary Jane worked for the FBI in the Charlotte office for fifteen years, including two special assignments in Meridian, MI and Birmingham, AL, where she made many friends.  It was while working for the FBI that she met Jim Whittington, an agent and they married in 1970.

She was a member of Sardis Presbyterian Church for over fifty years where she served as an Elder, Deacon, chair of numerous committees and Clerk of the Session on several occasions.  She also enjoyed playing handbells at Sardis for over thirty-five years. 

Mary Jane loved poetry, music of all kinds- jazz, James Taylor, Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra as well as the Charlotte Symphony.  She especially enjoyed the Gingko trees in fall and touring Charlotte to see them turn.  She loved her friends in her bridge clubs and book club.

Mary Jane is survived by her son, Michael Whittington of Charlotte; daughter, Sheri Bartel and her husband, Kyle of Charlotte; her two beloved granddaughters, Claire Bartel and Grace Bartel; stepson, James Gary Whittington and his wife, Ruthellyn of Chino, CA and stepdaughter, Terri Whittington and her husband, Michael of Oak Ridge, NC.  Also surviving are her nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her three older brothers, Hoke Hanna, Jr., Boyce Hanna and Charles Hanna.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Sardis Presbyterian Church.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.  

Memorials may be offered in memory of Mary Jane to Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.