Una “Marie” Wilhite Pesnell, age 99, passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at 10:45 P.M.   She was a native of Clay, LA and a resident of Houma, LA.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation at Mulberry Baptist Church on Saturday, February 29, 2020, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until a funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be held in Wesley Chapel Cemetery at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Ruston, LA, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.

Marie is survived by her daughters, Cecilia Ann Cox and husband, Glenn, and Dorothy Louise Wilson and husband, David; grandchildren, Dr. Doni Marie Wilson, Douglas Lamar Wilson, and wife, Abby, Laura Ann Cox Latham and husband, Jeffery; great-grandchildren, Alexis Latham Klassen and husband, Steven, Gunnar Latham, Grace Latham, Ryker Latham, and Christopher Wilson.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Raymond Cecil Pesnell; parents, Wilbur Ford and Clarice Estelle Tomlinson Wilhite; granddaughter, Tracy Lynn Cox Hawke, and husband, Gary; brother, Howard Wilhite, and wife, Velaska; sister, Gladys Wilhite.

Marie was a charter member of Mulberry Baptist Church. She dedicated her life to working with children in school and church, which included 30 years as a teacher in Terrebonne Parish Public Schools.  She also worked in many capacities within the church and was a faithful, loving, and giving servant of the Lord. Her motto was “kindness and love opens many doors”. Marie graduated from Louisiana Tech University, and her name was published in Personality of the South in recognition of success in her profession as an educator. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mulberry Baptist Church.

The family extends our sincere appreciation and love to all who helped her in her declining years.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.