Lena "Jo" Josephine Whaley, 88, of Walstonburg peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday evening, January 5, 2024 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro with her family by her side.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 3 p.m. at Arthur Christian Church, 2616 Fire House Road in Bell Arthur, North Carolina.  The family will greet friends following the service.

Mrs. Whaley was born in Virginia on November 27, 1935 to the late Joseph Wiley and Lena Hathaway Stancill.  She was a member of Arthur Christian Church and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Leaving to cherish her precious memories are one daughter, Debra Howard and husband, James; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Whaley; one brother, Joseph Wayne Stancill; one sister, Myrtie S. Hedgepeth; three grandchildren, Trey Whaley, Megan Leitch and husband, Ben and Jamie Howard; and her beloved dog, Bailie.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert R. Whaley; her son, Gilbert R. Whaley Jr. and three sisters, Peggy S. Roberson, Gladys Ruth Jackson and Barbara S. Holland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, NC 27534. www.3hc.org/donate-now/

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