Jean Whaley

Garner- Jean Dennis Whaley, 96, of Clayton, NC, passed away on March 5, 2024.

A native of Pitt County, Jean was born on July 3, 1927, to the late Zackary and Nancy Edwards Dennis.

Jean grew up in a large family in Pitt County, NC and lived mostly in Wilson County, NC while raising her children with Bill. She worked at Ruben H. Donnelley Corporation. Jean, known to many as Granny, is remembered as being one who never met a stranger. Her door was always opened and she welcomed everyone into the family. She also loved to be loved on and her family was quick to oblige. She is remembered as being a woman of strength ... tough as nails. A woman with a giving heart. A love for others. A friend we could always count on. She was always ready for a family gathering, a game of marbles, and peach cobbler. Granny lived a long, fruitful life imparting wisdom, advice, comfort and faith to her family. As someone said to me, we are better off in life by having Granny in ours.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Billie Clifton Whaley; son, Clifton Lee Whaley; daughter, Brenda Griffin; granddaughter, Pebbles Griffin; grandsons Earnest Dixon, Jimmy Dixon, and Zachary Whaley; and several siblings.

She is survived by her daughter, Sheila Smollen (Joel) of Clayton; sons, Bill Whaley (April) of Franklinton, Ashley Whaley (Amy) of Zebulon; sisters, Ruth Mae Miller of Atlanta and Joyce Adams of Greenville; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grand children and 7 great-great grand children.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM, in the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner. Interment will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park at 1:30 PM. The family will receive friends Monday, March 11, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com.