February 19, 2021, 75, LaGrange –

Bobby J. Whitley Sr. , 75, of LaGrange went to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday, February 19, 2021 at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh.

Homegoing service will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 6 p.m. at Park East Church of God in Goldsboro. The family will greet friends following the service. Those attending are ask to wear a mask and practice social distancing. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Snow Hill Cemetery with military honors.

Mr. Whitley was born in Snow Hill on January 10, 1946 to the late Roland and Nina Kearney Whitley. He was retired military having served in Vietnam and worked at WEST Company in Kinston. His favorite things were going to church every time the doors were open. He loved the Lord and would tell everyone around him his favorite words were “Are you ready to meet Jesus?” He was a faithful servant at Park East Church of God where he was deacon, usher, member of the finance committee and a handyman of anything needed around the church. He loved spending time with his family and was an artist carpenter that would always help others and never wanted anything in return. He loved going fishing, going to the mountains and sitting at McDonalds and talking with his friends. He will be deeply missed by all.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-eight years, Shirley Whitley; his children, James and Kim Whitley, Joseph and Emily Carlyle, Mark and Ann Paruscio, Dawn and Jessie Willis Kristi and Eric Whitley-Crumpler; ten grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and his brothers and sisters, Evelyn Williams, Helen (Johnny) Kennedy, Raven (Faith) Whitley and Douglas (Dena) Whitley.

His family already gone before him to be with Jesus are Jean Rioux, Roland Whitley, Paul Whitley, Ronald Whitley and Joyce Richardson.

He has been taken from us so quickly but God knew that his work on earth was done. So now it is up to us to live his legacy and be there for each other, caring and loving and living for Christ as he taught us by example.

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.