Diane Lee Whisenhunt

Diane Lee Whisenhunt, 84, of Mount Ida, Arkansas, passed away, Monday, February 2nd, 2026, in Hot Springs. She was born June 17th, 1941, in Hot Springs to the late Argus and Sybil (Doyle) O’Neal. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, husband Gip Whisenhunt, granddaughter Christina Whisenhunt, brother-in-law David Short, and Aunt Christine Whittington who was like a mother to Diane.

Diane is survived by her sons Bryan (Donna) Whisenhunt and Mark Whisenhunt, daughter Tamara McKee, grandchildren Allison (Stephen) Englert, Michael (Erin) McKee, Grant McKee and Patricia (Turner) Southall, great grandchildren Matthew McKee, Rory McKee, Emmett Englert, and due on Diane’s birthday, baby Eleanor Diane, Piper Southhall, brother Doyle (Janice) O’Neal and sister Pamela Short along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.

Diane grew up as daddy’s little “Tomboy and Helper” from the start following in her dad’s every footstep. She built her career as a home economics and classroom teacher of 28 years, but her main career was her husband of 63 years, her children, her animals, her home and her yard. Diane co-owned the AG Supermarket, later called the Piggly Wiggly and the Sears Store.

Diane was a lifelong cattle farmer of 57 years alongside her husband and boys. Daily she could be found in the cowpens and chicken houses gathering up feed. She could also be found daily in the farm truck, side by side or lawn mower, and occasionally on a tractor, always managing the farm and her children. Diane’s lawn was like a petting zoo with swans, peacocks, miniature horses, fowl of every kind, deer, goats, and dogs. Her love of animals was second only to her love of family and love of God. Diane and Gip not only farmed, but in their retirement they enjoyed spending lots of time traveling the world together. They never forgot to bring stories and pieces of their trips back to their children and grandchildren.

Diane was almost always busy working on the farm or in her home, but occasionally she went out and about to town. She always carried an air of elegance about herself. With her beautifully curled red hair accompanied by her glitz and glamorous jewelry and clothes, you would never know she had been working in the garden or wrestling swans just hours prior. As her granddaughter said, "she was a true testament to how a lady and woman should act." Diane also believed in an immaculate house, meals, deck, and yard with thinking of details as small as vacuum tracks, palm trees, ferns, hanging and potted flowers and mowing lines.

Diane instilled values into her children and grandchildren that will last a lifetime: Love of God and family, hard work, honesty, and love of animals. Diane will forever be on our minds and in our hearts. 

Visitation will be Friday, February 6th, 2026, 5-7pm, at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside service will be held Saturday, February 7th, 2026, 1pm at Rocky Valley Cemetery in Mount Ida with Bro. Greg Bland and Bro. Josh Harper officiating. Pallbearers are Michael McKee, Grant McKee, Stephen Englert, Turner Southall, Jacob Hill, Cody Roberts and Brandon Jackson.

Arrangements were made and directed under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home. Guest register at www.thortonfh.com