Martha M. Whinnery

Martha M. Whinnery NORFOLK - Martha M. Whinnery, 68, of Norfolk and formerly of Hampton, passed away Aug. 17, 2009, in Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center. She was born in Gloucester, Va., on Oct. 10, 1940. She is survived by her husband, Thomas S. Whinnery; her daughter, Debra Avery of New York; three sons, James Merica and his wife Janet of Arkansas, Eugene Merica of Kansas, and Wilbur Merica of Virginia; a sister, Rose Belvin of Virginia; 12 grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and a sister- in-law, Lynn Merica of Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by her son, Louis Merica and her sister, Gilda Kemp. A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. in First View Baptist Church with the Rev. Wade Blunt officiating. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.