Mary Lillian Whitley

Smithfield - Mary Lillian Olive Whitley, age 99, died Sunday morning, March 22, 2015, at her home. Born March 29, 1915 in Johnston County to the late Howard Hunter and Ludie Baker Olive, she was the widow of Elmer James Whitley and was preceded in death by an infant son, Radford Lewis Whitley and a grandson, Curtis Wayne Whitley. Mary was a life-long member of Sardis Baptist Church, where she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation form the Woman?s Missionary Union as one of the last (oldest) members.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the cemetery at Sardis Baptist Church, with the Rev. Don Dewberry officiating.
Surviving are her daughter, Frances Laverne Whitley of Smithfield; sons, Norman Wayne Whitley and wife Maxine of Rocky Mount and James Michael Whitley and wife Rose of Smithfield; five grandchildren, Susan Holanek and husband Ronald of Cary, Melanie Lee and husband Thomas of Four Oaks, Norman Keith Whitley and wife Linda of Selma, Tamara Whitley of Smithfield and James Michael ?Jay? Whitley, Jr. and girlfriend Karen Hughes of Smithfield; nine great grandchildren, Mary-Katelyn Holanek, James Nicholas Holanek, Whitley Harris Stevens, Hunter Keith Whitley, James Tucker Whitley, Hannah Jane Whitley, Curtis Wayne ?C.W.? Whitley, Jr., Riley Paige Hughes and Rachel Kelly Hughes.
Flowers are acceptable or memorial contributions may be made to the Sardis Baptist Church, 5444 Brogden Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.