Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Whitley Wingfield
August 26, 1942 ~ April 3, 2022
RED OAK - Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Whitley Wingfield, 79, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 3, 2022. Born in Ellis County, KS on August 26, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Ira Lee Whitley and Amelia Cecila Whitley. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Lila Thomas; and her brother, Mike Whitley.
Beth was a faithful member of First Christian Church from the time the family moved to Rocky Mount in 1981. She served in many roles in the ministry of the Church. Beth worked as a middle school teacher for over 20 years and touched the lives of many students throughout her career. She had a passion for education and was an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma education society, serving in local leadership roles. Beth loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always putting their needs first. She enjoyed Friday night dinners with special friends, afternoon coffee outings, playing board games, picking vegetables from their garden, the annual Wingfield/Leftwich beach trip, NC State baseball games and faithfully attending her grandchildren's activities. Beth also loved to travel, Hawaii and Australia being some of her favorite places visited. Most of her time, in the latter years, was spent meticulously working on her many craft projects - including blankets, shawls, dish cloths, and slippers. Many will feel the warmth of her love each time they use one of her special blankets, made in their favorite colors.
Beth, affectionately known as Mema, leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 59 years, Gary Lavern Wingfield; her children, Jeff Alan Wingfield (Karen), Debbie Wingfield King (Gary), Scott Douglas Wingfield (Leigh Ann), Curtis Lee Wingfield (Cheryl); her grandchildren, Kelli Wingfield Edwards (Drew), Austin King (Linzy), Wesley King (Cyleigh), Anna Scott Wingfield Lynch (Conner), Griffin Wingfield, John Thomas Wingfield, Henry Wingfield and Gabby Hickman (honorary); her great-grandchildren, Katie Ann Edwards, Dylan and Dylila; her twin-sister, Cathy Sandstrom (Ron), her brother, Joe Whitley (Sandy); her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Davison and Barbara Macgirvin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation with the family will be on Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the home of Gary and Beth.
A Celebration of Beth's Life will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 4:00 PM at First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27803 with Rev. Michael McHarg officiating. A visitation in the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall will follow the service until 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Beth's memory to First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27803.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
First Christian Church of Rocky Mount Fellowship Hall
1101 West Haven Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27803
Tuesday 4/12, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
A visitation in the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall will follow the service until 7:00 PM.
Service
First Christian Church of Rocky Mount
1101 West Haven Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NCC 27803
Tuesday 4/12, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A Celebration of Beth's Life will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 4:00 PM at First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27803 with Rev. Michael McHarg officiating.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
In memory of Mary Elizabeth Beth Whitley Wingfield, Michael Grover lit a candle
Scott I am so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She was a sweet, loving, Christian woman. I know you will miss her so much. It is so good you have wonderful memories to keep her memory alive. You and your family will be in my prayers.
We are so sorry to learn of the passing of dear sweet Beth. There are too many memories to mention, but know they are held closely in our hearts. She was a true lover of God and a wonderful friend to so many as well as a beloved wife, mother and grandmother to her family. May God wrap you all in his arms and provide the peace you need to sustain you. Love, Carol & Skip
My condolences to the Wingfield family. I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to know Mrs. Wingfield and to spend time with her wonderful family. When I last saw her she had an enormous smile dancing with her new son-in-law at Anna Scott’s wedding. You could see the joy of the moment in her eyes. She will be missed, but know she takes endless pride in the family she leaves behind.
Sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
Gary, from all of us here at United Way, we are thinking about you and your entire family with the loss of Beth. She was such a lovely and talented person who constantly gave to your family and others. I personally think about her often when I use the lovely and practical microwave potholders & face masks that she hand-made for me. You have been a loyal and dedicated husband, and we send you all our strength, prayers, and peace during this time.
Beth will surely be missed by everyone who knew her. She was very productive and a woman of many talents and not afraid to do more. Gary made a great choice and she in him for the 59 years of marriage that produced many productive kids and grandkids who will carry the Christian model forward. She sang in the choir for many years, made prayer shawls and other items for the sick, played the piano as needed, and was involved with teaching the youth for many decades both in the regular classroom and at First Christian church as well. She surely was a blessing and model for all to follow.
Sorry for your loss….praying for you and your family!
Beth was a very sweet, caring woman who helped me tremendously during my first year of teaching at Benvenue Middle School where we shared mobile unit. I was very green and young. She was very loving, kind, and wise. She guided me with love, care, and tenderness that has never been forgotten. May God bless you all and heal your sad hearts during this time. Cherish your precious memories of a lovely lady inside and out!
Will miss you very much my sister. So many memories over the years. Love to all the family from Aunt Barbara , Eric Jantz and family and Erin Jantz.
We are so sad to hear this news. I will be in Indiana during visitation, but am definitely with you in spirit. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.