Verbena couple killed in wreck

Published 12:05 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Two Verbena residents and longtime members of Concord Baptist Church died Monday evening as the result of a wreck near Prattville.

“We’re still all in shock,” fellow Concord member Linda Foshee said.

The Charles and Faye Wilhite attended services at Concord for about 25 years. Charles had served as a deacon, and Faye was the church’s organist, among other contributions.

“They were just active in everything—just pillars of the church,” Foshee said.

Charles and Faye Wilhite had visited a funeral home in Prattville and were turning onto the Interstate 65 entrance ramp at the intersection with Highway 14 between Prattville and Millbrook when their vehicle collided with a vehicle traveling west at about 7 p.m., according to Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson.

Faye Wilhite was pronounced dead on the scene. Charles Wilhite was transported to Prattville Baptist Hospital but passed shortly thereafter.

Johnson said an investigation is ongoing but that he does not expect alcohol or drugs to be contributing factors.

“Our heart and prayers go out to their families,” Johnson said. “Obviously, there’s never a good time to lose a family member, but certainly not this close to Christmas.”

Charles Wilhite was 78 years old, and Faye Wilhite was 75.

The Wilhites had two sons, Charles V. Wilhite of Verbena and Richard Wilhite of Mooresville, N.C.; and two daughters, Deborah Wilhite of Birmingham and Marie Odom of Birmingham.

Martin Funeral Home is directing the funeral, which will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday.