Dr. Mona M. Whitson, 85, of Columbus, MS, passed away Thursday, Dec. 23, at her home.

She was born November 11, 1936, in Poplar Creek, Mississippi, the daughter of the late Mary Denley McClurg and Wendell McClurg.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, her parents, her brother, David McClurg, and her sister-in-law, Dean McClurg.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Mary Kathryn Whitson, four much-loved siblings, Sharlott (James) Valentine, Mariann (John) Todd, Duane McClurg, and Kay McClurg, her sister-in-law Donna McClurg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mona married James Bascom Whitson on Aug. 24, 1958, at Calvary Baptist Church. They were happily married for over 60 years, and are the parents of one child.

Mona graduated from MUW with a B.S., then went on to MSU for her masters and then a doctorate in botany and microbiology. For over 30 years, she taught mostly microbiology at several schools, including MUW, Tallahassee Community College, Florida A & M University, and Boise State University. For the 10 years before she retired and returned to Columbus, she worked as a food microbiologist for the Florida Department of Agriculture.

Mona was an avid gardener, a voracious reader, and a ceramics enthusiast. During her working years, she wrote articles for gardening magazines such as Horticulture, and became a certified master gardener after retirement. She loved gardening for the birds, bees, and butterflies, and as part of her volunteer work with the Lowndes County Master Gardeners, was instrumental in designing and maintaining the award-winning butterfly garden along the Columbus Riverwalk. She passed on her enthusiasm for plants and pollinators by giving talks for numerous garden societies, and plants to numerous friends.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary in Caledonia, MS.