Ann was born in Cordele, GA to Alice Fenn Neisler and John Howard Neisler on October 29, 1926. She went to Reynolds High School in Reynolds, GA. She attended Shorter College and later graduated from University of Georgia in 1947.
She taught elementary school until she had her children and became a full-time homemaker. Her family was her life. She was very involved in church, serving on the missions committee at First Baptist Church Atlanta, opening her home to missionaries and going on mission trips into her 80s. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Howard Neisler and her infant daughter, Anna Howard Whatley.
Ann is survived by William H. Whatley, her husband of over 70 years; her children, Laura Cole (Joe) of Kennesaw, Fran Hollifield (Lynn) of Roswell, John Whatley (Alison) of Cary, NC and Judy Seitz (Bill) of Birmingham, AL; her sister, Frances Persons (Ben) of Atlanta; grandchildren, Cliff Cole, Jeff Cole, Alissa Whatley, Hank Hollifield, Anna Hollifield, Katie Grace Whatley, Becky Whatley and William Seitz. She had five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, February 15, 2019 at First Baptist Atlanta Chapel, 4400 North Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338. Her funeral service will be held in the chapel at 1:00 pm immediately following the visitation. Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Reynolds, GA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to World Missions at First Baptist Atlanta, 4400 North Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338.
