Elizabeth Elaine Austin Hartley, age 57, a resident of 121 H and H Lane, Vanceboro, passed unexpectedly Friday, January 27, 2017 at her home.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and will be officiated by J.T. Edwards and Earl Edwards Jr. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joseph Paul Edwards, Rusty Shane Tolen, Eddie Edwards Jr., Michael Lims, Merritt West Jr. and Jay West.

Mrs. Hartley was born in Beaufort County on February 15, 1959 to the late Joseph M. Hodges III and Mary Alice Beard Hodges. Elaine was a loving and caring mother. She was a woman who knew no strangers and would help anyone in need. Her family was her life. She was the light and backbone of her family. Mrs. Hartley was a stay at home mom and super person for her family, always there day or night. A devoted loving soul who gave her all. She worked as a Deli manager for several grocery store chains, Foodland, Byrds, Winn Dixie and Food Pride.

Leaving behind her husband Steve Hartley; two sons of the home, Jordan N. Hartley, Shasetyn R. Hartley; one son of Washington, Frank Joseph Hartley; a daughter of Washington, Elizabeth Aleina Hartley; three grandchildren of Washington, Stephen Hartley, Destanyia Downing, Joseph Downing; a sister, Debbie Conner and husband Gene; a brother, Joe Hodges and wife Mary Ann; an aunt, Jenny Beard Bennett of Washington and many nieces and nephews who she loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Clarice Hartley.

The family received friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made in her name to Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern NC Chapter, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

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