Stantonsburg – Reverend Julius Lee Whitley, 86, of the Saratoga-Good News Community, died Sunday, December 11, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield.  

Rev. Whitley was born July 24, 1936, to Elsie Ellis Whitley and Richard Lee Whitley of Saratoga. He served as Pastor at Good News Advent Christian Church for 46 years and was a woodworker for 44 years. He was preceded in death by Rosemond Starr Welton Whitley, his wife of 62 years. 

He is survived by his daughter Lauren and husband, Greg Scott, and their daughters, Hannah and Rachel of Holly Springs; son, Jonathan Annett and wife, Lora, and daughter, Chloe of West Virginia; brother, Doctor Lester Whitley and wife, Barbara, of Conway SC.

In lieu of flowers, in memory donations can be made to SECU Hospice House, 426 Hospital Road, Smithfield NC, 27577 or Good News Church, P.O. Box 195, Saratoga, NC 27873. 

Funeral, Saturday December 17, 2:00 pm, at Good News Church, 6990 Good News Church Rd, Stantonsburg, with burial following the service in the church cemetery. 

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson NC, 252-237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com