Samuel Sam Latham Whitehurst

Samuel Latham Whitehurst passed away at his home in Cary on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. Mr. Whitehurst was born near New Bern, NC on July 30, 1922, to the late Fred Hancock Whitehurst and Sallie Tingle Whitehurst. He was educated in Craven County Public Schools, Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, VA., and North Carolina State University. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at North Carolina State University.

He served in the US Army during WWII in the Southwest Pacific Theater and from that experience remained a true patriot. After returning home, he was always supportive in helping veterans as they readjusted to civilian life.

Representing Craven County, he was honored to be elected to serve 12 years in the NC House of Representatives and four in the NC Senate. He held several leadership assignments as Committee Chair, and served on the Legislative Services Commission. Sam served eight years as a trustee of the Consolidated UNC Board of Trustees, his true educational love was North Carolina State University, for which he served on countless foundations and committees. Early in his business life, he was active in the dairy industry, including posts as President of Dairy Farmers. In 1968, he became the Executive Director of the North Carolina Soft Drink Association (now, the NC Beverage Association). For 22 years, Sam served in this role with singular class and integrity, abundant resourcefulness, and great good humor. He was widely regarded as one of the best Soft Drink Association Executives of his era, and became only the second such official in the nation to be inducted into the Beverage World Hall of Fame. He cherished the opportunity to serve on behalf of Soft Drink Bottlers from all over the State, whom he found to be people of great character and civic commitment. Sam loved the natural world, which inspired his passion for land conservation. He made part of his woodlands in Craven County available to the State for hunting and viewing of wildlife. Further he worked with the Coastal Land Trust and made land available to establish the Latham Whitehurst Nature Park, which is now under the umbrella of the Craven County Parks and Recreation Department. Sam was a Mason. In addition, he served as a Board Member of the Atlantic and East Carolina Railroad. He served on the Board of Keep North Carolina Clean and Beautiful. Sam loved music and enjoyed dancing. He was always listed on many “Dance Cards” over the years. He would have impromptu piano recitals in his home for children, family and friends. He was an avid sportsman–he particularly enjoyed duck hunting and fishing. He loved sitting on the beach with family and friends at Pine Knoll Shores. Much more significantly, he was a loving family man, a good friend and a fiercely loyal Wolfpacker. Sam had an abiding faith, attending Edenton Street United Methodist Church, where he was active on several committees and later enjoyed his men’s bible study.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah Jessica Whitehurst at the age of eight and his first wife, Penny Wells Whitehurst.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Carolyn Purser Whitehurst; by his children, Sam L. Whitehurst, Jr. of Clayton, Gay Whitehurst Thompson and husband, Odell of Cary, Fred Hancock Whitehurst, of Manalapan, NJ, and Sara Jessica Whitehurst and husband Augie Balch, of Raleigh; and by his grandchildren, Celadon Whitehurst and husband Sean Saroye, Jim Whitehurst Thompson and wife Aliene, Penny Thompson Waguespack and husband Andrew, Col. Sam Whitehurst and wife Sallie, Andrea Kite and husband Patrick, Russell Whitehurst and wife Karen, Ashley Bowman and husband Roger, Lauren Whitehurst and 16 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Friday, October 28, 2016 at 11am at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh. The family will receive friends at a visitation and reception in Kerr Hall at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, immediately following the service. A graveside service will be held following the visitation at 2:30 pm at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

The family thanks Dr. Martin Van Cleeff for his loyal friendship, his wonderful medical care and his many special visits with Sam. Also, the family wishes to thank all the girls who helped make Sam’s life a little easier these past years and who brought him much joy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the television ministry at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 West Edenton Street Raleigh, NC 27603.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh.