Tanya Lynn Whatley

Wilson - Funeral Services for Mrs. Tanya Lynn (Jones) Whatley, 59, of Wilson are scheduled for 2:00 PM Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 at the Wilson Assembly of God Church with Rev. Bill Baker officiating and Toni Price providing the eulogy. Interment will follow at Hewitt Cemetery in Wilson. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Wilson.

Tanya was born on Nov. 25, 1960 at Ardmore to the late Mr. Gilford Jones and Mrs. Othela Virginia (Hollie) Jones. She departed this life on Friday, September 18, 2020 at her home in Wilson surrounded by her family.

Tanya was raised at Dickson graduating high school from there in 1979. She attended college at ECU earning her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, graduating in 1983. She and Mr. Jarvis Whatley were united in marriage on August 3, 1985 at the Lake Murray Chapel. They primarily made their home in Dickson residing there until they made Wilson their home in 1999.

Tanya worked for DHS as a social worker for 31 years, retiring in 2016. She loved to travel extensively with her family, especially to Disney. To mark all of her many trips, Tanya enjoyed purchasing a Christmas tree ornament, representing the places she had visited. Most recently she was planning a trip to Hawaii in which she had dreamed of for many years. She also enjoyed shopping especially for new shoes and loved being with her children and grandchildren. Tanya was of the Assembly of God Faith.

She is preceded in death by her father, Gilford Jones; mother, Virginia (Hollie) Jones; sister, Beverly McLaughlin, and nephews, Mike McLaughlin and Steve McLaughlin.

Survivors include her loving husband and best friend, Jarvis Whatley of the home; daughters, LaDonna Peal and husband Ricky of Fox, Jessica Palmer and husband Eddie of Haughton, LA and Jenny Wyrick and husband Steven of South Coffeyville; son, Jericho Whatley and wife Savannah of Yale; five grandchildren, Ava "Gracie", Jaxon, Jase, Ryker and Taylor; brother, Terry  Jones and wife Suzie of Dickson; mother in law, Elizabeth Whatley of Wilson; numerous other family and friends.

Casket bearers are Braden Whatley, Warren Butler, Greg Whatley, Brad Whatley, Jonathan Whatley, John Marlin Jones, and Thaddeus Kassheimer.

Honorary bearers are Ricky Peal, Eddie Palmer, Steven Wyrick, Savannah Whatley, Dale Butler, Jeff Whatley, Dennis Turpin, and the late Jackie Kerley.

Family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm Monday evening at Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Wilson.

Memories and photos may be shared online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org