Frances Harmon Whitley

Frances Harmon Whitley , 89, of Raleigh died Wednesday, July 29, 2015. Born Laura Frances Harmon in Statesville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Maude Howard and Everette L. Harmon. She graduated from Harmony High School, Pfeiffer Junior College and Furman University.

After moving to Raleigh, she was employed by the Dept. of Archives and History as an archivist; by the History Preservation Society of N.C. as Executive Secretary; and by the N.C. Museum of History Gift Shop as a manager.

She was a long-time member of Highland United Methodist Church where she started the church Bereavement Committee and Chrismon program, and where she served as the First MYF counselor, Sunday school teacher, member of the Administrative Board, member of United Methodist Women, and as Church Historian. She was also an avid flower arranger, and active in the Pinewood Garden Club for 65 years – whose motto was, “Do nothing and do it well”.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Cullen Everette and wife Diane Corbin, Robert Thomas and wife Brenda, and daughter-in-law, Kim Whitley; three grandchildren Ryan Thomas Whitley, Laura McCall Whitley and Andrew Harmon Whitley, Jr. She is also survived by a sister, Aileen Harmon Daniels, and a brother Dwight E. Harmon, both of Statesville, NC.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Cullen Whitley, her son Andrew Harmon Whitley, and her two brothers Forrest Harmon and Marshall Harmon.

A celebration of Frances’ life will be held at Highland United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 9, 2015. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Rd. Raleigh, NC 27607.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St.