Mr. Jackie Donald Weatherly

Jackie Donald Weatherly, 77, of Raleigh, NC, peacefully entered into eternal rest, Monday, July 4, 2016 at Moses-Cone Hospital in Greensboro, NC. He was born in Gadsden, Alabama to Charles Weatherly and Ruth Paulding (Cunningham), on April 8, 1939. He grew up with two sisters, Carrie Watson (Paulding) and Michelle Armstrong (Paulding), and graduated from Carver High School in 1957. After graduation, he attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelor's of Science (BS) degree in History in the spring of 1961. Later in life he attended North Carolina Central University (NCCU) where he completed 42 hours toward a Master's Degree in Counseling. While attending Alabama State University, he met the love of his life (and future wife of 53 years), Ms. Lillian Gwenette Andrews from Montgomery, Alabama. While in college he played on the Alabama State football team. Upon graduation and following in his father's footsteps, he decided to join the United States Air Force and his active duty service commenced on February 16, 1962. During his four-year enlistment, he was assigned to Lackland AFB (TX), Amarillo AFB (TX), Korea, and Plattsburgh AFB (NY). While he was on active duty he received the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM). He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on February 15, 1966 in Plattsburgh, New York.

After his discharge, he and his wife, Lillian Gwenette Weatherly (Andrews), decided to remain in New York where he was offered a Technical Writing position working for International Business Machines (IBM). He took the position and remained in New York for several more years. He and Lillian welcomed their first child, Phyllis Renee Adams (Weatherly), into the world on September 27, 1971, in Kingston, New York. He continued to work for IBM and eventually was offered and accepted an opportunity to relocate to Durham, North Carolina. After moving to Durham, Jack and Lillian welcomed their second child, Cedric Donald Weatherly into the world on July 7, 1977. Jack continued to work for IBM and retired after 26 years of employment in 1991. Upon retirement, Jack wasted no time in following his natural entrepreneur instincts by starting a Technical Writing Consulting Company called Jack's Technical Writing Company (JTWC) in 1992. Never one to back away from a challenge, he defied the odds and remained successfully self-employed for 20 years by providing businesses in the Carolinas and throughout the United States technical writers, programmers, and engineers with superior technical skills. By starting the business, he created new opportunities for not only his family, but for all of his employees. In 2012, he decided to retire from his second career to enjoy retirement full-time.

He was an amazing man of God, son, brother, and father. He always put his family and children first to ensure they had everything they needed. Always an advocate for education, he and his wife inspired their children to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees from: North Carolina State, North Carolina A&T University, and Johns Hopkins University. He was an avid sports fan. Due to his New York and North Carolina experiences, he rooted passionately for the New York Giants, New York Mets, Carolina Panthers, and Duke University Basketball. He loved to travel and looked forward to visiting his son, Cedric D. Weatherly, Lieutenant Colonel (Air Force), each time he relocated to a new assignment over the last 17 years. He was loved dearly and will be missed by all.
Sadly, due to the complications of pneumonia, God decided to call his angel home and grant him his freedom on our Nation's Independence Day. A flame, which shined brightly for 77 years, was dimmed by breathing complications and God's will for him to enter into His kingdom on that day. A testament to his faith, he never complained, rather, he accepted his health condition and continued to fight fervently to recover and continue enjoying the life of a full-time retiree. He looked forward to spending more time with his family, travelling, and getting to know his granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Weatherly, and mother, Ruth Paulding. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Weatherly, his daughter, Phyllis Renee Adams (Weatherly) and her husband Kent, his son, Cedric Weatherly and his wife, Erin Owens Weatherly, his granddaughter, Janelle Vivian Weatherly and his sisters Carrie Watson (Paulding), and her husband Tony, and Michelle Armstrong (Paulding).

The Weatherly Family will receive visitors at the wake scheduled for Thursday, July 14, 2016 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home located at 1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC, 27609. There will be a "Celebration of Life" Service held at St. Paul AME Church located at 402 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 on Friday, July 15, 2016 at 12:00 PM. There will be second viewing from 11:00 to 11:50 am at St. Paul AME Church preceding the service on July 15, 2016. It is highly recommended to arrive early because parking is limited in the immediate vicinity of the church. At the conclusion of the "Celebration of Life" Service, the Interment (with military honors) will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park located at 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612. Immediately following the Interment, family and friends are welcome to attend the repass which will be held at St. Paul AME Church. For those wishing to send flowers, please have them delivered to the funeral home by 3pm on Thursday, July 14, 2016. The Weatherly Family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, and outpouring of love that we have received. Thank you for thinking about us and we sincerely appreciate the support.