RENEE WHITLEY

January 18, 2021

JOPLIN- A celebration of life was held Saturday, Jan. 16, at Central Christian Center in Joplin for Renee Leigh Whitley, 58, who died Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, following a two year battle with cancer.

Survivors include her father, David Wilson and wife Evelyn, Deerfield, NY; a son, Mark Whitley and wife Holly, Neosho; a stepdaughter, Tracey Whitley, Joplin; her mother-in-law, Clyda Whitley, Lamar; five brothers, Ronald Wilson and wife Leisa, Olathe, Kan., Mike Wilson and wife Cat, Pearl River, La., Alan Ray and wife Susan, Lamar, David Ray, Springfield and Jacob Ray, Arpin, Wisc.; seven grandchildren, Toby McIver and wife Kayla, Republic, Sabrina Spilman Crews and husband Anthony, Pittsburg, Kan., Riley Hensen, Kaylin Whitley, Mason Whitley, Ana Ramierz and Sheila Ramierz, all of Neosho; two great-grandchildren with another on the way and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Whitley; her mother, Virginia Ray; a sister, Denise Cook and her father-in-law, Howard Whitley.

Mrs. Whitley was born May 26, 1962, in Lincoln, Neb., to David Wilson and Virginia (Bolejack) Wilson. After moving many places with her military family during childhood, she settled in Missouri. She attended Lamar High School and later received her Associates degree in nursing and worked as an LPN for many years caring for the needs of others, a trait she had inherited from her mother. Later in life she was looking for a change and let her creative side show as she returned to school to become a cosmetologist. She worked as a hairdresser until her disease forced her to stop working.

While living in Lamar she met her husband and they were married on May 27, 1986. Together they raised her son Mark and later their granddaughter Riley.

She loved to be around people, especially her grandchildren and great nieces with whom she created many craft projects. She was also an avid photographer, taking pictures everywhere she went.