Mary Lucy "Bunny" Cantrell Whiteside's Obituary
Mary Lucy “Bunny” Cantrell Whiteside passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 23, 2023. Born in Nashville, TN on September 18, 1932, her Nashville family traces back to when they were a land grant family when Tennessee was still a part of North Carolina.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Hayes Vance Whiteside (Ann) of Tuscaloosa, AL, Bates Hill Whiteside (Margo) of New Orleans, LA and her grandchildren Eston Vance Whiteside of Paducah, KY, Grace-Ann Whiteside Duquette (Colin) of Dallas, TX and Sadie Bates Whiteside of New Orleans, LA. She is also survived by her great-grandchild Malcolm Hayes Frances Duquette of Dallas, TX and her sister Dorothy Cantrell Reeves of Cheyenne, WY as well as nieces, nephews, friends from the Isaac Litton High School Class of 1951 and wonderful lifelong friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband George Walter “Bo” Whiteside, Jr., her parents John Malcolm Cantrell and Pauline Collins Cantrell, all of Nashville, TN. She was preceded in death by her daughter Ragan Sue Whiteside, her grandchild Walter Mitchell Whiteside, sister Betty Sue Cantrell Holt, her brother James Malcom Cantrell and his wife Sylvia Felts Cantrell and her brother-in-law John Douglas Reeves, Jr.
Bunny received her nickname as an infant from her brother Jimmy as she was wrapped up in a furry white bunting. He called her “my baby bunny.” The moniker stuck and that became her lifelong name, even to her grandchildren.
She and Bo spent their life in Atlanta and Charlotte before settling in New Orleans with two active boys. When they would come in bleeding from neighborhood rock fights, she would calmly say, “don’t bleed on the carpet, I’ll take you to the hospital when I finish my coffee.” She was always cool under pressure.
Their vacation home on Dauphin Island, Alabama served as a year-round happy place for the holidays, bonfires, beach combing and hosting extended family. The only thing Bunny refused to do was to go out on their boat, The On Time- which was never on time, always broke down and caused many problems while usually out in the Gulf of Mexico.
Bunny was involved in Stonecroft Ministries for many years. Through them, she led Bible Studies, was a speaker for their Christian Women’s Club where she would give her testimony of how she came to know Christ. The relationships made here stayed with her for life.
Bunny had an innate desire to be a social person and she never met a stranger. She would learn a person’s life story in the first meeting. She enjoyed working at Stein Mart in the Boutique Ladies program where she could see friends and meet new people. Her interest and skill in design, decorating and flower arranging was legendary in her circle and earned her blue ribbon after blue ribbon. Her lifelong collection of rabbits adorned her house. She was an active member in 2 Birthday Clubs, Country Club Home Gardeners, Beau Chene Garden Club and PEO Philanthropic Organization. She was a keen player of bridge and was always looking for a game.
Bunny is best remembered as an unwavering and enthusiastic Christian. She could give advice to those in need, comfort those who grieved all while celebrating and referring to the Word. She knew first hand that tragic things happened to people but held steadfast to the verse Romans 8:28 from her favorite NIV Bible: “And we know that in all things God works for good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” She leaves a legacy of Christian faith, joy, love for her family and friends. Her Sunday School class, the Fletcher Hollen, was a tremendous support.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bunny may be made to Raphael Village, 530 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130.
Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Covington Chapel, 16054 Murphy Road, Covington, LA 70433 on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 11:00 with a visitation prior at 10:00 AM.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. The family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories and condolences online at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com
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