Obituary of James Cleo Whaley

Funeral services for James Cleo Whaley, age 83, of Roanoke will be held on Thursday, December 23, 2021, at 1:00 PM at Benefield Funeral Chapel with Bro. Terry Magby and Bro. Gary Braswell officiating. Burial will follow at Potash Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

Mr. Whaley passed away Sunday, December 19, 2021, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Ware Whaley of Roanoke; four sons, Buster Whaley, Ricky Whaley, and Rex Whaley (Tonja), all of Wedowee, and Tim Vinson Taylor (Shelba) of Jonesboro, GA; two daughters, Rhonda J. Taylor of Roanoke and Wendy Lundy (Jason) of Wadley; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with one on the way.

A Randolph County native, Mr. Whaley was born on April 18, 1938, the son of Eual and Fannie Bowen Whaley.  He worked as a fixer and retired from West Point Pepperell after 39 years. Mr. Whaley and his wife were the owners and operators of Tin Shop Gas & Grocery Store until he was disabled.  He was a hard worker, loved his wife and family dearly, and was a Christian and was a member of Freedom Harbor Church.  Mr. Whaley was preceded in death by his parents; one child, Regina; two sisters, Lois Ford and Nillie Whaley; and six brothers, Lonnie Whaley, Elbert Whaley, Ed Whaley, Curtis Whaley, Roy Whaley, and Dewey Whaley.