Arcadia - Willie Mae Simpson Whatley was born April 4, 1931 to Willie Alton Simpson and Onnie Gilbert Simpson in Stringer, MS. She passed away on February 13, 2019, at Willow Ridge in Arcadia, LA. She was a loving homemaker, wife and mother. Her creativity and dedication to her family was the force of her life. She was an accomplished seamstress and an outstanding cook. Her greatest happiness revolved around providing Christmas festivities for her family. In 1954 she married Philemon James Whatley. In 1961, they lived in Mobile, AL, where their daughter Nanette was born. In 1966 they moved to Blytheville, AR and then moved again in 1973 to Arcadia, where she resided until her death.
Mrs. Whatley is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Philemon Whatley, and her sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Nanette Whatley Choate, her son-in-law William Choate, her granddaughter, Elise Reis and husband Louis, and her two great granddaughters, Sophia and Iris Reis.
Visitation for Mrs. Willie Mae Simpson Whatley will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Friday, February 15, 2019. A graveside service will be held at Hurricane Cemetery immediately following visitation.