Joseph Michael (Joe Joe) Wheatley
Posted at 15:01, Monday, November 28, 2022
Joseph Michael Whitley passed away peacefully at home on November 23, 2022.
He was born in Chacowinity, North Carolina in 1936. Joseph Michael Whitley passed away peacefully at home on November 23, 2022.
He was born in Chacowinity, North Carolina in 1936 to Essie R. Alligood Wheatley and Charles Wheatley, along with his twin brother John. He attended parochial school in Washington, North Carolina, and at age 16 went to prep school at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, where he worked on the school’s dairy farm to earn room and board for his college education. side by side with his older brother Michael Wheatley. , who survives him. Joe Joe often told stories of how he and his brother would hitchhike across the state of North Carolina to visit home and then return to college, and stories of priests, cows, the kindness of the woman who ran the cafeteria, who took a shine to both of them. young people and tried to feed them a little extra, along with stories of cool antics and lessons. Losing his father at the age of 12, while his mother alone was raising 7 children, the oldest 16 and the youngest who was 10 months (sister Esther who was an only daughter) at the time of their father’s death, was one of the deepest pains , which he experienced. experienced in life. Jo Jo was a lesson in perseverance and determination. He was unique, intelligent, funny, beautiful and complex. If Jo Jo loved and respected you, you had a friend for life. If he hadn’t, it would have been a more difficult story. He met the love of his life, Betsy Mills Whitley, at her Sweet 16 birthday party, and he took one look and decided she was the one for him. He and she never looked back, even when their relationship was not supported by either parent. Despite this, they borrowed $20 after she graduated from college, and they married on March 6, 1960, and moved to Red Springs, North Carolina, where he began his 25-year career in the textile industry as an industrial engineer with Burlington Industries who moved several times as his career progressed. In a fairly short period of time, two daughters were born to them: Theresa (Herbert Follin), and after 15 months – Mary Margaret (Cary Grant). Joe Joe’s career progressed in Burlington, and he subsequently moved to Danville, Virginia, where he was director of industrial construction for Dan River, Inc., moving to Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1983, taking his final step into the ‘ery to begin work at Springs Industries, where he retired. after 15 years. Joe and Betsy returned to her parents’ hometown of Chacowinity, North Carolina in 2001 and enjoyed a little over a year of happiness until she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, from which she died in 2004. Joe Joe was never the same after losing Betsy, although he persevered. Hurricane Irene caused significant damage back home, and after the 2011 storm, he moved to Archdale, North Carolina, to be closer to family. Jo Jo continued to enjoy family and friends from the area and being able to be around her daughters and grandchildren. During his life he loved many things. He enjoyed watching Betsy cook and eat her great food, play golf, play bridge with the Summerlin family, throw pig drives, eat at Anton’s Cellar once a week when it was open, eat a giant tail steak lobstering in the Outback, mowing grass on his John Deere lawnmower, drinking gin and tonics, watching a Clint Eastwood movie, reading a great book, sitting with his cat or chihuahua, telling stories, loving and protecting his family, and just enjoying the company of friends whom he loved and respected.
He is survived by his daughters, grandchildren: Clay, Jordan, Daniel and Laura, and a great-granddaughter, Kathryn “Cricket”. Whenever Jo Jo really liked something, he would say “nice”. In recent days, he has said several times that his life has been “beautiful.” He certainly influenced many, loved many and was loved by many.
We are comforted that he is in heaven, reunited with the love of his life, Betsy, his family and friends, especially his mother, Essie.
Funeral Mass will be held on December 1, 2022 at 12 noon at Mother of Mercy Church in Washington, NC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church hall. Burial will be a private service for the family at a later date.
During Advent, flowers are not displayed in the sanctuary of the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, 112 W. 9th street, Washington, NC 27889, a charity of your choice or simply use the funds and go out for a nice meal with your family/friends and enjoy raising a glass of Jo Jo and remembering him fondly.
Our family is so grateful for all the prayers, help and kindness during these last days and thank God for JoJo’s easy and peaceful passing. After all, Jo Jo did it his way. A life well lived indeed.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at Joe Joe’s memorial page at www.cumbyfuneral.com.
Cumby Family Funeral Home of Archdale is serving the Whitley family.
