Shirley Whitley

STANTONSBURG - Shirley Ann Hayes Whitley, 73, died Sunday, November 29, 2009, at Wilson Medical Center after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Funeral, Thursday, 11 AM, Stantonsburg United Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. Rani Woodrow, with interment in Stantonsburg Cemetery.

Mrs. Whitley was the daughter of the late Roy L. and Rosa Lee Boyette Hayes of Lucama. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty Jean Wiggins.

She graduated with honors from Lucama High School, Wilson School of Nursing and St. Joseph's University. A charter member of Wilson Memorial Hospital - now Wilson Medical Center - she retired after 43 years of faithful service as a dedicated Register Nurse, Quality Care Coordinator and Nursing Supervisor. She was proud to be a nurse and mentored many who have also made it their profession.

A believer in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she was a member of Stantonsburg United Methodist Church where she faithfully served in many areas including Lay Leader, Administrative Council, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, United Methodist Women, Nominating Committee, Homecoming Committee and editor of the church bulletin.

She held the honor of being the first woman to serve as the President of the Stantonsburg Kiwanis Club and was just weeks ago named the Kiwanian of the Year for 2008-2009.

She was a past member of the Darden Chapter #265, Order of the Eastern Star in Stantonsburg where she served several terms as Worthy Grand Matron.

Shirley enjoyed sewing, playing bridge with friends, was an avid Tarheel fan indeed and always had a smile for anyone who needed it and was a blessing to all who knew and loved her. God has another precious daughter in heaven.

Surviving is her husband of 54 years, J. Norwood Whitley, Jr; daughter, Deborah "Debbie" Schlechte and husband, Gene, of Manassas, VA; sons, J. Norwood Whitley, III, and wife, Donna, of Zebulon, and Colonel Albert H. Whitley, USAF, Retd, and wife, Roberta, of Fredericksburg, VA; She was a proud grandmother to her wonderful grandchildren, Jennifer Schlechte of Austin, TX, Christopher "Chris" Schlechte of Blacksburg, VA, Elizabeth "Lizzy" W. Clapsadl and husband, David, of Rocky Mount, James N. Whitley, IV of Raleigh, Gregory "Greg" Whitley and Rebecca "Becky" Whitley, both of Fredericksburg, VA.; brothers, Leroy Hayes and wife, Elizabeth, of Rocky Mount and Ralph Hayes of Smithfield; aunt, Margie Boyette and uncle, Shorty, of Lucama; and not to be forgotten is her faithful little dog, "Tootsie".

The family will be at Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Drive, Wilson, Wednesday, 5 - 7 PM.

Memorials are suggested to the Stantonsburg United Methodist Church, PO Box 6, Stantonsburg, NC 27883, or to WilMed Hospice, 1705 Tarboro St, SW, Wilson, NC 27893.