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1909 - 2012
 Corrinner McClanahan McWhorter was born on May 2, 1909 in New Waverly, Texas and died on March 16, 2012 in Silsbee, Texas. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at First United Methodist Church in Silsbee under the direction of Farmer Funeral Home with interment following in Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.
Corrinner graduated from Dayton High School in 1927, and after the family moved to Port Arthur, she graduated from and taught at Port Arthur Business College. She then worked as a bookkeeper at a plumbing shop for 13 years and during that time married Ira V. McWhorter (Ikey), her long-time sweetheart from Dayton.
Corrinner, Ikey, and their small daughter moved to Silsbee in 1942, following the migration of her family, the McClanahans. When her older daughter started school in 1948, Corrinner became active in the Silsbee PTA and served several terms as its president. She worked closely with the schools and participated in all projects and programs that were implemented during the school years of her three children, Candy, Kathy and Ike, Jr.
Corrinner also recognized the need for a summer program for the youth of her church. In 1949 she organized a Vacation Church School at First United Methodist Church and assisted thereafter for over forty years. Other church activities included serving for many years as chairperson of the Work Area on Education, superintendent of the Childrens Department, and Sunday School teacher from 1947 to 2004.
In 1950 she helped organize the Camp Fire program in Silsbee. As well as initiating the program, Corrinner herself became the leader or two groups at the same time, a group for each of her two daughters. In the mid-50s, she also helped organize Camp Fire groups for Silsbees Black community.
Another of Corrinners significant accomplishments is her creation of the McWhorter Kindergarten. This was Silsbees first kindergarten during a time when kindergarten was not offered in the public schools. Heeding the request of parents and teachers in her church and seeing the benefit of a pre-school readiness program, she opened her kindergarten doors in 1951. After that first year of operation, she never had to advertise for students again. For the next 27 years, she directed the first steps of many Silsbee youngsters as they began their formal schooling. In 1957, she helped organize a kindergarten for Black pre-schoolers in the community.
Corrinner retired in May 1978 but was recalled to active duty that following autumn as she joined the faculty of All Faiths Day School, where she taught music and motor coordination skills to 3 and 4 year old children. In 1996, after 45 years teaching young children, Corrinner retired at the age of 87. She continued bookkeeping at her nephews insurance company for another 7 or 8 years.
In 1991, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Silsbee Chamber of Commerce. Through her guidance and leadership, Corrinner McWhorter has influenced and shaped the lives of many of Silsbees young people. She was a remarkable lady, an extraordinary and loving wife and mother, and a legendary teacher.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ira V. McWhorter; parents, Frank and Byron McClanahan; and brothers and sisters, Frank McClanahan, Jr., Curtis McClanahan, Gertrude Fields and Robbie D. Bradshaw. She is survived by daughters Carol McWhorter of Silsbee and Kathleen McWhorter of Austin; and son, Ike McWhorter and wife Debby of Silsbee. Grandchildren are Perry Jones of Beaumont and Shelley Jones and husband, David of Silsbee, and great-grandchildren, Brant, Carley, Christian and Madelyn. Corrinner (Aunt Sissy) is survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews and a host of former charges whose lives she touched.
Corrinners family appreciates the loving care provided by the staff at Silsbee Oaks Health Care, where she spent her last days, and the staffs at Texas Home Health Hospice and Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Any donations can be made to the Children's Dept of First United Methodist Church 670 North 5th Street Silsbee, TX. 77656.
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There are currently 21 condolences.
David Thornhill
dthornhill3166@yahoo.com
Thursday May 3, 2012 at
10:19 PM
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Such great memories to remember of Mrs. McWhorter. Generations of our family knew her, loved and respected her very much. If someone is looking for a wonderful role model, you found one in her.
David Thornhill and Family
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James Talbot and Kay Pils
Wednesday March 21, 2012 at
4:51 PM
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Our hearts go out to you and we're with you in spirit. She was a lovely lady!
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Melissa Spillar Tarver
Wednesday March 21, 2012 at
3:20 PM
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My thoughts and prayers are with this family during your time of loss. I have fond memories of that sweet lady and her wonderful little Kindergarten that was the beginning of many a childs education. She will be truly missed.
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Lucy and Terry DuBose
Wednesday March 21, 2012 at
10:11 AM
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Kathy, Candy and Ike--what a remarkable mom...and each of you carry on her wonderful work of peace, education and justice. Love from Lucy and Terry
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Margaret Richardson
nannyguy007@yahoo.com
Tuesday March 20, 2012 at
10:40 AM
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You Kids You Certainly Had One Sweet Kind Mother She Taught My 2 Daughters in Kindergarten Diane Parks, Debbie Lacy. I Loved Her Very Much. Margaret Richardson
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Jara Neal Willis
Tuesday March 20, 2012 at
2:05 AM
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My dear sweet Aunt Sissy....such a fine upstanding, caring, sweet woman with such a wonderful memory of so many things. I will always remember all the fun times as kids...thanksgivings, jumping on the trampoline, and playing school in the kindergarten! You will be deeply missed. Love to Candy, Kathy, Ike and Deb.
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Patti Zimmerman
mzimme5991@hotmail.com
Monday March 19, 2012 at
10:31 AM
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I will miss Aunt Sissy & her sweet smile. I remember all the good times we had as kids in Galveston. I know she is rejoicing with Jesus and singing his praises. I can just hear the piano playing and the singing that is going on. Aunt Sissy is right in her element and is having a blast in heaven. How lucky the little ones are for having her there teaching them.
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charles tarver Silsbee,Tx
Monday March 19, 2012 at
8:22 AM
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A wonderful,wonderful person loved by all she touched and taught
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Sara Shepherd
Sunday March 18, 2012 at
9:57 PM
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She influenced my life to strive to be as wonderful a teacher as she was to me and that I could spend 30 years shaping children as well.
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Amy McGallion
Sunday March 18, 2012 at
9:08 PM
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The McWhorter family is in my prayers during this time of loss. Mrs. McWhorter was a dear, sweet lady that I will forever remember. She has given me many wonderful memories from my childhood. Many, many children in heaven will be blessed by her arrival with her loving heart and kind words. She will be missed greatly by many.
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Myrtis Evelyn Skinner Long
Sunday March 18, 2012 at
8:56 AM
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Your family is very much in our prayers. The world was a better place because of Mrs. McWhorter; I remember her so well!
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Chad Wilson
ChadSWilson@live.com
Sunday March 18, 2012 at
8:49 AM
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Mrs. McWhorter was one of those few that genuinely cared about children and upheld a strong commitment to education. Surely I remember the instances when I was not in Mrs. McWhorters favor. But those few times diminish quickly in my memories when I think of all the wonderful times and practical teachings that this wonderful person shared with all of her students.
The very first and only play I was ever a cast member was in a Christmas show that Mrs. McWhorter's class put on every holiday season. After being so excited about the prospect of actually performing in the play I remember the day of the show being so scared at the prospect of all the people being in the audience. I still remember Mrs. McWhorter trying to comfort a scared little boy and telling me Surely you will steal the show!
Mrs. McWhorter was a kind heart, and a rare light in world. She was both a champion of children and knowledge. Mrs. Mac will always be loved.
- Peace, Chad
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Peggy M. Pitman
peggy091247@att.net
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
9:40 PM
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How do I say farewell to my Aunt Sissy (the best Aunt anyone could ever imagine) in the entire world.Will always remember all the fun family times shared at her house with all the aunts, uncles and cousins. We were blessed to have had her love and caring all these years.
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Linda Redkey Hoskins
hoskinslr14@yahoo.com
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
9:09 PM
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My deepest sympathy to each of you on a wonderful lady I admired over the years,her many years of dedication to education, and other endeavors she was involved in, and did so well. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you, sustain you, and give you strength all the days ahead. What a reunion she is having in Heaven. She will be missed. My love to each of you, Linda
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Jackie McMillan Battle & Marylin McMillan Vernetti
jackiebattle8@gmail.com
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
7:46 PM
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As sisters we were the same ages as Candy & Kathy. We were in Blue Birds, Camp Fire Girls etc. We were blessed to have had Mrs. McWhorter's influence all of our lives in Silsbee. That early influence has carried us through many a year & spilled over into our children's & grandchildren's lives as well. The ripples of her life are still flowing on today.
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ANITA POWELL RICHARDSON
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
7:28 PM
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Mrs. Mac will greatly missed, she was friends with my parents, both deceased. I was in her home many times, in her kindergarten class of '52, played with her girls, and graduated with Ike. I was campfire girls, my mother a leader. to complete a circle, my great- grand daughter was in her music class at the age of 3. Almost 4 yrs ago. I mostly remember her for her blazing Red hair, and the play-yard she had. To all her family, you were blessed, and shared her with lots of kids! Ever wonder just how many?
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Peggy & Ron Scarborough/Georgetown, TX
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
5:34 PM
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Mrs. McWhorter dearly loved our children as much as we did and for that we dearly loved her.
She will be missed by many, but remembered by all...
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Peggy Bradshaw Brown
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
4:29 PM
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I have known Aunt Sissy all my life as Conley and Tootie (Robie) married when I was 5 years old. There are not enough adjectives in the english language to express what a wonderful and fine lady she was.She was ready and willing to do anything for any one and always had a rediant smile. She will be missed by all who knew her. I know her Golden Crown with MANY Jewels awaited her in Heaven. GOD JUST GAINED A GREAT LADY!!
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Wilson Neyland
wilsonneyland@gmail.com
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
3:40 PM
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Such a special lady, and such a special part of my childhood at both her kindergarten, and at church. Even though I had my name in the box a few too many times for talking... she will always be one of my favorite teachers. Thank you for sharing her with so many Silsbee children. What a wonderful legacy she leaves with her family and her students. Her kindness and love of children will be remembered forever.
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Dee Register Hall
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
2:43 PM
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Our wonderful, loveable Mrs. Mac is gone, but so NOT forgotten. Her influence on my life in our church and in Blue Birds, Campfire, Horizon Club has always been there. One of the main things that has stuck with me since I was 6 years old - one of the BlueBird rules is "always finish what you begin"....Mrs. Mac, you will be missed!!!
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Pat & Betty Richardson
Saturday March 17, 2012 at
1:11 PM
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Wow! Nearly 103 years; what a wonderful run. She blessed the community with her presence and set an example for generations to come.
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