Emily Kathleen Chriscoe Whatley

ASHEBORO — Emily Kathleen Chriscoe Whatley of Asheboro passed away on Dec. 29, 2022. She was the widow of Lowell McKay Whatley, who died in 1989. 

Mrs. Whatley was the daughter of Walter Boyd Chriscoe and Lora Rose Chriscoe. She was born in Marston, NC, on Aug. 7, 1929, but lived primarily in Seagrove and Asheboro. She married Captain Whatley on Aug. 1, 1953, at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he was stationed. 

Whatley is survived by Lowell McKay (Mac) Whatley, Jr. of Franklinville, and his sons Sergeant (E-5) Vladimir Whatley (Molly) of Raleigh and Roman Bogdanov (Valentina) of Cyprus; Jill Annette Whatley (Nina Foust) of Morehead City; and Michael Jac Whatley (Kathy) of Spring Lake.  Jac’s children are Virginia Kathleen (Katie) Whatley Noble and (Chad) and their sons, Ryder and Brody, and Michael Meiburg DeWhatley (Megan) and their son, Davis, of Austin, Texas.

Mrs. Whatley graduated from Seagrove High School in 1947 and from Meredith College in 1952, with an AB degree in Business Education. Later she received a Master of Education degree from UNC-Greensboro and began work for the Asheboro City Schools, teaching business and typing at Asheboro High. She later became the media coordinator at Guy B. Teachey School where she served for over 25 years until her retirement in 1989. She was a nominee for the Randolph County Teacher of the Year in 1984.

She belonged to the Randolph Arts Guild, also serving as a director. She was a member of the Asheboro Music Club and the Asheboro Women’s Club and served as a coordinator for the use of the Gate Keeper’s House. As a member of the First Baptist Church of Asheboro for over 60 years, she served as a deacon and on various committees.

Siblings who predeceased her were John Wesley Chriscoe, Broadus Chriscoe, Colwell Chriscoe and Vera Mae Jenkins. She is survived by her sister, Julia Anne Marsh, as well as her brother, Bobby Neal Chriscoe. She had numerous nephews and nieces of whom she was very proud.  

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Asheboro City Schools Foundation for the Media Center of Guy B. Teachey School would be appreciated. Gifts may be mailed to: ACS Foundation, 1126 South Park Street, Asheboro, NC 27203, designated for the Teachey Media Center.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Whatley family.