Cara Whiteside

Cara Igathera Wilson Whiteside, age 72 of Fayette passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020. Services are Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 11:45 a.m. at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel with Rev. Jerry Badges. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Fayette Memorial Gardens. She was preceded in death by her son, Shawn Ray Whiteside; mother, Cora Mae Wilson; father, Ben Wilson; and stepmother, Lois A. Wilson. Mrs. Whiteside is survived by her husband, James Thomas Whiteside; daughter, Teressa "Dee Dee" Whiteside of Tuscaloosa; sister, Jo Ann Wilson Madison of Tuscaloosa; brother, James "Frank" Wilson of Huntsville; brothers-in-law, Mark Whiteside of Fayette, Howard Whiteside (JoAnn) of Fayette; sisters-in-law, Zella "Re Re" Whiteside of Fayette, and Carolyn Whiteside; and a host of nieces and nephews. She would always introduce herself to children as Aunt Cara and had many, many extra nieces and nephews. Dear and special friends, Mary Sudduth, Pauline Branyon, Angela Williams and Marie Gay. She also had her phone buddies she would call often. Cara Igathera Wilson Whiteside was born October 14, 1948 to the parentage of the late Rev. Benjamin F. Wilson and the late Cora Mae Cooke Wilson in Berry. She attended Berry Elementary for the first two years and after moving to Fayette, where she was reared by her father and stepmother Lois McConnell Wilson, she then attended Gibson Chapel School, Fayette Training Elementary School, and West Highland School. She also attended Tennessee State for two years. Cara was baptized under the leadership of the Rev. Matthew Freeman at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. She later united with the Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. L.W. Sparks, where she remained a faithful member until her death. She previously served as Matron Counselor, Secretary of Mission Society, and President of Baptist Training Union. In 1972, she and James Thomas Whiteside were united in marriage on November 23. To this union a daughter was born in 1974, Teressa "Dee Dee" Whiteside. In the early 70's, Cara became a member of the Ervin and McConnell Chapter #323 Order of Eastern Star. In 2002, she became Worthy Matron until her death. She enjoyed being a member of the Order of Eastern Star. Cara had several jobs including: Fayette Hospital, Arvin, Shelby Die Casting, Carlisle, and Performance Fibers. She always advised her co-workers that she was an angel and asked if they could see her beautiful halo above her head! Pallbearers are her nephews and cousins. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Joseph Walker and staff, Dr. Shelby Sanford and staff.