Luke C. Whitley

Published 5:38 pm Monday, January 11, 2016

Luke C. Whitley
Oct. 6, 1931 – Jan. 9, 2016

Luke Whitley 

Daddy has been rejoined with Mom, his true love of inspiration and commitment. We know he is experiencing peace, joy and contentment with his Savior, and loved ones in these beginning days of his pristine, eternal life.

Mr. Luke Curlis Whitley, age 84, a resident of 5085 Sidney Rd., Belhaven, died Saturday, January 9, 2016 at his home.

A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2016 at Free Union Free Will Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Tony Parrish and Rev. Harold Swinson. Burial with military honors will follow in Yeatesville Cemetery.

Daddy was born in Beaufort County on October 6, 1931, son of the late Chacy Maynard Whitley and the late Myrtie Elizabeth Cutler Whitley. He attended J. A. Wilkinson High School and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. On December 31, 1954 he married the former Betty Keech and shared nearly sixty years before her death on December 11, 2014. Their marital union carries a legacy of love and commitment to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their devotion to each other, especially in the latter years, has been a living model of sacrifice and support. As Mom demonstrated the “daily living out” of Christian values, ideals and principles with consistency and faithfulness, so our Dad did, too, but in a different manner. His quiet example provided love in action with no fanfare, no hoopla and no media coverage. His life verse would be — If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). We feel privileged and blessed to have grown up in a family, where the uniqueness of two personalities was observed, endorsing the words of the psalmist that He is the master weaver, describing the process of God making man, not manufactured or mass-produced but knitted. Each thread of personality tenderly intertwined. Each string of temperament deliberately selected.

Daddy was a provider to his family as a farmer. His connection with the soil of the earth gave him much pleasure and satisfaction. He was a member of Belhaven American Legion Post and was a member of the former Free Union Ruritan Club.

As a member of Free Union Free Will Baptist Church, he was a deacon and a former Treasurer.

Survivors include two daughters: Sharon Whitley Morris and husband Dennis of Bath, and Tammy Whitley Harris and husband Roger of Carrollton, VA; one sister: Polly Whitley Guirkins of Chesapeake, VA; four grandchildren: Justin Chacy Morris and wife Maria of Greenville, Courtney Morris Newberry and husband Jackson of Snow Hill, Luke Douglas Harris of Carrollton, VA and Emily Grace Harris of Carrollton, VA; and two great-granddaughters: Madeline Brett Newberry and Gemma Lucy Morris. Daddy was predeceased by two sisters: Elsie W. Moore and Margaret W. Cotten and two brothers: Roscoe Whitley and Jesse Whitley.

The family will receive friends 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2016 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and other times at the home.

Flowers are welcome and appreciated or memorials may be made to (www.worldhungerrelief.org or www.samaritanspurse.org).

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Whitley family.