Ila Mercer Whitfield

New Bern --- Ila Mercer Whitfield, affectionately known by many as "Mama Whitfield" and "Granny," went home to be with the Lord at the age of 80 years on the morning of Friday, April 8, 2016 with her family by her side. She was the daughter of the late Jewell and Joella Mercer of Lowland, NC. On January 28, 1955 she married the love of her life, Gerald Whitfield, and together they shared 47 years of marriage before his passing in 2003. She was a faithful member of Ruth's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church and cared for many children for 45 years in her home, loving each one as her own. In addition, each year she enjoyed growing flowers and raising vegetables in her garden, of which many people benefited. She believed in hard work and as she would say, "don't rust out, be worn out!"

Funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2016 at Cotten Funeral Home with the Reverend Ral Alsbrook officiating. Burial will follow at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

She is survived by her three children, Timmy G. Whitfield and wife Darlene, Michael "Mike" Whitfield and wife Susan, and Patty W. Edens and husband Johnny, all of New Bern; one brother, Bert Mercer of Cape Carteret; three sisters, Love Whitfield of New Bern, Blanchie Smith of Panama City, Fla., and Sylvia Ross of Lowland; and five beloved grandchildren, Timmy Whitfield, II, Nathan Whitfield, MaryJo Whitfield, Elizabeth Whitfield, and Samuel Edens; and one great grandson, Clayton Whitfield.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Cotten Funeral Home.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Craven County Hospice, c/o CCHD Foundation, P.O. Drawer 12610, New Bern, NC 28561. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.cottenfuneralhome.com.

The Whitfield family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the many fine nurses and physicians who cared for her during her illness and especially to Dr. John Ayers who for many years was her primary care physician.