John Empie Wishart, Jr.

John Empie Wishart, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on May 28, 2026.

John was born in Lumberton, North Carolina on May 18, 1945, to the late Mr. John Empie Wishart and Mrs. Winnie Rose Brigman Wishart. John graduated from Lumberton High School, East Carolina University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Fraternity, and Pembroke State University, where he earned dual master’s degrees. John worked for the Robeson County School and Lumberton City School Systems before beginning his more than thirty-year career in human resources with WestPoint Pepperell. While working at WestPoint Pepperell, he also continued his passion for teaching at Robeson Community College and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Having lived most of his life in Lumberton, John never met a stranger, and was always quick with a smile, a laugh and a handshake. After his retirement, he enjoyed serving as President of the Lumberton Shag Club, where he and his wife Pat shared their love of beach music and dancing. You could also find John managing the Lumberton Farmers Market, where he enjoyed chatting with local farmers and community members each week. Back at home, John was happiest when working in his yard, or working on the model train layout that he built with a good friend. Lastly, John was grounded in his faith and served as a Sunday school teacher at Lumberton Baptist Church for many years.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Arnold Wishart. During her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, John devoted himself to her care with unwavering love and dedication, and he and the family were deeply touched by the outpouring of support from friends far and wide.

John is survived by his son, John Brent Wishart and his partner, Jeff Oberhaus, of Chapel Hill and Henderson, North Carolina, and his daughter, Katherine Sloane Provenza and her husband Sal, and two granddaughters, Sydney and Elizabeth, of Ladera Ranch, California.

John’s kind-hearted, gentle spirit will always be with us. A celebration of life service will be planned for later this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 606 N. Walnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358, or to the Robeson County Humane Society, P.O. Box 3609, Lumberton, NC 28359.