Jean Whitley

Mrs. Jean Long Whitley, 80, died on April 3, 2019, at Forsyth Medical Center.  Jean was born on May 6, 1938, in Hertford, NC, to Shelton McMullen and Marine Elliott Long. She graduated from Perquimans High School and obtained her Associates Degree in Music from Chowan College. After graduation she furthered her education at Meredith College and the University of North Carolina. Jean started her music career at age 11 and was a member of the choir, Sunbeams, and Sunday school.  She was the resident organist at Chowan College until she took her first position as a kindergarten music teacher at Dorminy Studio. In addition to teaching she encouraged and taught music at the Forsyth County Youth Detention Center.  During her studies she met a fellow student and the love of her life, the late Charlie Thomas Whitley. She and Charlie made their home in Winston-Salem in 1960. Together they joined First Baptist Church, where she became a deacon in 1989. Jean served as hospitality and flower chairman, but her greatest joy was serving as Cradle Roll Director. She also enjoyed traveling, most of all to Kiawah Island with her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Lucile Long White; two brothers, Shelton Edgar Long and Emmett Baues Long; one sister-in-law, Cornie Lee Long; and one brother-in-law, James Eldridge Whitley. Surviving are two sons, Thomas Whitley and Robert Whitley (wife Kelli); three granddaughters, Haley, Belle, and Ava; and special friends, Dr. Geoff and Ellen Habermacher. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Friday, April 5, 2019, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.