Valerie P. Weatherly was born in London, England (Canning Town, West Ham Parish, Essex), July 20, 1929. She was the youngest and last survivor of Jesse and Laura Langley’s six children: Ron, Olive, Graham, Pat, and Ted. Valerie was 10 when Britain entered WWII; 11 when the Blitz nighttime air raids began over her hometown; and 16 when the war ended. She gained a lifetime of wisdom during those years that shaped how she lived and raised her children. At 24, she met and married Jake Mitchell Weatherly, an American Air Force GI from Sumter, South Carolina. They were married 56 years at his passing in 2009. Together they raised 3 daughters while living around the world. Surviving them are their daughters, Leigh Batson, Michelle Herran (Vince), and Pam Clark (Bill). Also surviving are their three granddaughters, C. Leigh Soranna, Claire Walker, Casey Builder; their grandson, Greg Herran, their great-granddaughter, Chiara Soranna, 4 nieces and nephews in England, and 2 in New Zealand.
Valerie was a loving mother, accomplished homemaker, and artist. She loved history and was a great conversationalist, especially on world events. Her optimism was contagious. She added sparkle everywhere she went and to everyone she met. She loved America and was so proud to be counted as a citizen. Valerie became a Christian through the Billy Graham Ministries. She was a supporter of many organizations during her life, especially a loyal supporter of veteran organizations, and the American Red Cross for their goodness to the people of England during the war.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 18, 2019 at 2:30 PM in the chapel of Mackey Funerals & Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609. The family will receive friends on Friday from 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM at the funeral home prior to the service.
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