Macon- Irene Merriman Whitney, 95, of Macon, NC passed away on December 2, 2021 surrounded by her loved ones after her battle with dementia. Irene was born on January 28, 1926 in Doniphan, Missouri to Jessie and Hattie Merriman. Irene was one of eleven children. In 1945 Irene met Junior (slim) Whitney and they were wed on May 11, 1945. They were married for 60 years until Junior’s death in 2005 and had seven children together. Irene was a faithful member of New Life Baptist Church in Norlina, NC for over 40 years and sang in the choir. She loved reading her Bible, singing hymns, fishing, road trips to the mountains, find-a-word puzzles and watching WWF Wrestling. Irene was predeceased in death by her parents Jessie and Hattie Merriman, all ten of her siblings, her husband Junior Whitney and her sons Edward (Eli) Whitney & Dennis Whitney. She is survived by her children Bobby Whitney of Macon, NC, Peggy Horne of Macon, NC, Gary (Wanda) Whitney of Disputanta, VA, Harold (Jay) Whitney of Macon, NC and David (Joyce) Whitney of Murray, KY. Along with her grandchildren Shelly, Dawn (Michelle), Cathy, Dennis, Richie, Jalena, Jason, Aaron, Travis and Sarah, eleven greatgrandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild. A visitation service is scheduled for 6:00-8:00 p.m. on December 9, 2021 at Blaylock Funeral Home, 203 North Front Street, Warrenton, NC 27589. Graveside funeral is scheduled for 1:00p.m. on December 10, 2021 at Greenwood Cemetery, (Church Hill Rd) Macon, NC. Donations to help with family expenses can be sent directly to Blaylock Funeral Home, 203 N Front St, Warrenton, NC 27589. Checks made payable to Blaylock Funeral Home.