Mary Celia Jones Whatley
Mary Celia Jones Whatley passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. She was born on August 28, 1936 in Montgomery, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents Cecil C Jones and Mary Boroughs Jones. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Stuart; her four children, Warren (Cathy) Whatley, Rebecca Brown, Craig (Elizabeth) Whatley, and Teresa (Shane) Owens; her eight grandchildren; Mary Katherine Whatley, Olivia Whatley, Myles McDevitt, Mary Stuart McDevitt, Hunter Whatley, Noah Whatley, Chase Owens, and Mason Owens, and her sister, Dannie (Jerry) McClurg.
Mary Celia graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954. Her love of music, particularly the piano, led her to initially enroll in the Music department of Auburn University, but she said she quickly learned that her piano playing was not as good as she thought! She changed her major to Mathematics, eventually earning a Masters degree. Mary Celia’s teaching career at Lee Academy and Opelika High School spanned over 40 years teaching Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Her genuine love of her students and her dedication to her craft were evident many years after she retired from teaching. She would rarely go out in the Opelika area and not hear, “Hey Mrs. Whatley!” “Remember me, I had you…” Those greetings were always met with a warm smile and a quick hug followed by, “of course I remember you!” She really did remember because she cared so deeply for her students.
She also loved her family with all her heart and in particular her 8 grandchildren. She embraced all their various personalities and talents with equal enthusiasm. She loved going to music recitals and space camp, cheerleading competitions, football and baseball games, and swim meets, entertaining them at the lake or at her home in Auburn. She lived to serve others as evidenced by her hospitality and graciousness.
She was a long-standing member of Trinity United Methodist Church and various lady’s bible study groups and her favorite verse was Galatians 5:22-23; “But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. Against such things there is no law.” Mary Celia’s life was a living testimony of each of these God-given characteristics of having a spirit that bears much fruit for His Glory.
There was a memorial service on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 10 a.m. CST at Trinity United Methodist Church with Reverend Earl Ballard officiating. Visitation followed the memorial service in the fellowship hall of Trinity United Methodist Church. There was a family graveside service prior to the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church building fund 800 2nd Ave Opelika, AL 36801.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.
