Lillie Ruth Rowland Whitley, age 101, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. Born in Nash County on August 9, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Licurus Marcillus Rowland and Mary Ellen Walker Rowland. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Harvey Whitley; three sons, Benjamin Dale Williams, Richard Coleman Whitley, Jerry Gilbert Whitley, one daughter, Sondra O'Neal Hall. She is also preceded in death by three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She is survived by daughters, Madeline Stanley of Tarboro and Jo Ann Whitley Massengill on Smithfield; thirteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; twenty-five great-great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 4 p.m. at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives at 3:30 p.m. prior to the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.

Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Rocky Mount.