Richard Whiteside

Richard Joseph Whiteside, 77, of Rock Spring Road, Mill Spring, NC, died Monday, December 10, 2012 at his home.

Born in Inman, SC, he was the son of the late Broadus and Beulah Searcy Whiteside.

A graduate of Mill Spring High School he received his bachelor of science in Education from Wofford College  and later completed his Masters-EDS at Western Carolina University.  Mr. Whiteside taught in Sunny View Elementary, Polk Central, AC Reynolds, Polk County High, Allendale, S.C. and Isothermal Community College. He retired from the Polk County School System in l993.

He was a member of the Coopers Gap Baptist Church, Mills Spring, NC where he served as the music director for many years.

Surviving are his wife of  36 years, Hazel Bradley Whiteside; two sons, Joey Whiteside (Olivia) of Tryon, and Daniel Whiteside of Mill Spring; three sisters, Louise Huff of Green Creek, Leona Lancaster of Mill Spring and Anne Harrison of Lenoir, NC and a brother, Wayne Hicks of Mill Spring. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Elliott, StorieLane, Oakley and ScottLynn Whiteside.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 in the Coopers Gap Baptist Church, Mill Spring, NC with Rev. Hubert Street officiating.

Burial will be in the Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Mill Spring. Family will receive friends from 12:30- 2 p.m. Thursday, just prior to the funeral in the Coopers Gap Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Coopers Gap Baptist Church, 1082 W. Wilson Road, Mill Spring, NC 28756. An on-line guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com