Hattie Catherine Whaley

Hattie Catherine “Kay” Gupton Whaley died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the age of 81. Born on June 30, 1943 to Kathleen Nelms and Peyton Marvin Gupton in Louisburg, NC, she was the fifth of six children after her sister, Janet Gupton & brothers Warren, Tommy & Phillip Gupton and before her sister Donna. As a young adult she moved to Raleigh, NC where she worked at Gino’s Italian Restaurant on Fayetteville Street. It was there that she met the love of her life, Charlie Whaley, Jr. Charlie and Kay fell in love and were married on June 2, 1962 in Dillon, SC They spent their entire married lives living in Raleigh surrounded by extended family. Sunday dinners at the Whaley family farm were attended by brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins and were a centerpiece of their family life.

Kay and Charlie soon began their own family with the births of Richard Marvin, Michael Russell, Charlie III (Chuck) and Beverly Candace (Candy). Kay spent the early years of the children’s lives at home caring for her family. She played roll-a-bat and other games with them in the backyard and watched as they built elaborate treehouses and go-carts that went too fast. She kept them safe and was the grounding force in their lives. Charlie’s parents, Isabel and Charlie Whaley, Sr., lived on the property and the entire family worked together on the farm, growing potatoes and vegetables that were shared with family and friends. For the four children, it was a life filled with hard work, stability, and love.

As the children grew older, Kay went to work for the Wake County school system in the food service department. For 35 years Kay prepared and served breakfast and lunch to the school children of Wake County. The students called her “Miss Kay” and she genuinely loved every one of those children. Over the years, Kay was offered many opportunities to move into management, but she knew she would then lose the connection to the children and that connection was what kept her happy in her profession. It was children, all children, who touched her the most.

Kay loved to sing and had a beautiful voice that was only heard if she thought no one was listening. In later years, as Kay’s mind moved gently into the shadows, it was music that she recognized and music that made her smile. She loved Pink Floyd and Freddie Mercury and listening to music would often bring her to a place of peace and touch a part of her that most could no longer reach. She would close her eyes and sway to the music and smile.

Kay became widowed by the passing of her beloved Charlie on January 24, 1988. She lived alone, without his physical presence, for 36 years but he was with her always and her devotion to him never faltered. When she spoke of him it was sometimes to recite specific memories, but most often it was to express a constant feeling of love and loss that never faded. Her love for him was truly inspiring. She is with him now and is the happiest she has been in many, many years and for that we are all incredibly grateful.

Kay is survived by her children Richard Marvin and wife Debbie DeHardt Whaley, Michael Russell and wife Maria Stahl Whaley, Chuck Whaley and fiancée Susan Phillips, and Candy Whaley Edwards and husband Bruce Edwards. Kay’s grandchildren are Issac Whaley (wife Sarah) and Alex Edwards (wife Teresa), who graced Kay with great-grandchildren Owen Whaley and Candace Edwards. Kay has four step-grandchildren, Pamala Stahl, Bradford Stahl, Dominique DeHardt Bianco, and Danielle DeHardt and one step-great-grandchild, Tanna Redd. Kay has one surviving sister, Donna Gupton Evans (husband Sherwood), of Louisburg.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Charlie and her sister Janet Gupton Lewis and brothers Warren Gupton, Thomas Gupton, & Phillip Gupton.

Friends and family are invited to attend Kay’s memorial service at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 26th at Brown-Wynn Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh. After the service there will be fellowship with food at the funeral home followed by a 1:00 pm graveside ceremony as Kay is laid to rest next to Charlie at the Briar Creek Gardens, 7600 ACC Blvd in Raleigh, NC. All friends and family are welcome to attend the memorial and burial services.

Flowers are appreciated. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Kay’s honor.