Wesley Terryl "Terry" Whistine

Wesley "Terry" Terryl Whistine
Visitation for Wesley "Terry" Whistine will be on Saturday, June 19, 2021, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at Shady Grove Pentecostal Church located at 2934 LA 26, DeRidder, Louisiana. Funeral services will be Sunday, June 20, 2021, visitation will start at 1:00 PM and service will begin at 2:00 PM, at the church with Rev. Tim Whistine and Rev. Jeff Phillips officiating. Interment will follow at Sugartown Cemetery, located at 1855 LA 113 in Sugartown, Louisiana with U.S. Navy military honors to follow. Funeral services under the care of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana
Wesley "Terry" Whistine was born on July 30, 1958, in DeRidder, Louisiana, to Almon and Claudia Sue Whistine. As a young boy, they lived in Lake Charles where he played a lot of baseball and made lifelong friends. In high school, he and his family moved to Sugartown, Louisiana, to be closer to family. He graduated from East Beauregard High School in 1976 and joined the U.S. Navy where a life of impeccable discipline and a strong love of country were forever sealed upon his heart. When home on leave in 1979, he had two life-altering encounters: one with God and one with a young lady from Oakdale, Louisiana, named Susan Levron. They wrote letters to one another over the next year while he was on isolated duty in Adak, Alaska, and spoke monthly via his one allowed phone call. In addition to getting to know Susan, he spent that lonely year on the Baltic Sea getting to know his God. He had no church or pastor, but he had a Bible and a big rock outside of the barracks. He spent a lot of time bundled in a parka sitting on that rock establishing a walk with God that would change the course of his and many others' lives. When it came time to re-enlist, he had to choose between a ship and Susan, and he wisely chose Susan. They were married on November 21, 1980. Their first daughter, Laura, arrived almost three years later on October 3, 1983, and their second daughter, Farah, arrived on February 1, 1987. After God, supporting his family was Terry's number one priority. He spent many years in route sales working for both Borden and the Keebler Company. While working for Borden, his daughter Laura was born, legitimately making her the "milkman's daughter" (yes, she has loved telling people that over the years). In 1989, he went to work for the local paper mill as a machine operator where he stayed until he had to medically retire almost two decades later due to complications from a knee replacement surgery caused by an on-the-job injury. In true Terry fashion, he still wanted to work though the Company decided it was too risky. But he hardly laid around. He spent the rest of his days creating and maintaining immaculate landscaping and farming a large garden where all of his plants lived frozen in fear of growing too slowly and being plucked up or growing too large and being cut off at the knees. Being ever so secure in his manhood and self-less in his nature, he took on many domestic duties to share the load with Susan. Before too long, he could vacuum like a pro and cook one mean pot of beans and rice. He wore many hats over the next few years in the employ of his family: realtor, painter, mover, yard boy, personal shopper, and auto mechanic. All were unpaid positions, because no one could pay him what he was really worth. His son-in-law, Scott Droddy, joined the family in 2015 finally giving him a more even playing field against the women in the family. His first grandson, Noah Scott Droddy, arrived on February 25, 2019, and the role of "Pop" became his new favorite responsibility. He was always up for a good mower ride and watching tractors and cows. His final days were spent worrying about his family, not himself. His faith in God's love and power remained solid. On June 17, 2021, he won the war and made Heaven all the richer.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Susan Whistine of DeRidder, LA; mother Claudia Sue Whistine of DeRidder, LA; daughters Farah Whistine of DeRidder, LA, Laura Droddy, and husband Scott Droddy of Henderson, TX; brother Tim Whistine, and wife Theresa Whistine of Leesville, LA; and one grandson Noah Droddy.
Preceded in death by his father, Almon Whistine.
Those honored to serve as pallbearer are James Mullens, Scott Droddy, Sammy Propst, Jonathan Whatley, Tjus Reed, and Dustin Ashworth.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearer are Tim Whistine, Mickey Ford, Gary Whatley, and Donnis Ashworth.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry Whistine's memory to: Shady Grove Pentecostal Church designated to "Home Missions": 2934 Hwy 26 DeRidder, LA 70634 or Tupelo Children's Mansion: 1801 E. Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804
Words of comfort to the family may be shared at www.labbymemorial.com.