Bonda Whitley

Bonda Geneva Drye Whitley, formerly of Oakboro, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at Alston Brook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lexington, NC.

She was born on September 30, 1934 in Cabarrus County to James Edward and Rosanna Ella Harvell Drye. In addition to her parents, Bonda was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, Robert Lewis (Bob) Whitley; her brothers, Floyd H. Drye, Luke W. Drye, Lee R. Drye, Lewis M. Drye, and James E. Drye; and sister, Louise D. Lane.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Whitley Sharpe and son-in-law, Mickey of Lexington, NC; son, Robert (Rob) L. Whitley, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Cara of Charlotte; the "loves of her life", Mary Caroline, Samuel, and Nicholas Sharpe, and Brenna Whitley. Bonda also loved her many nieces and nephews very much. She enjoyed visiting with them and with her cousins as often as she could. Her family was very precious to her.

Bonda graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1952. She and Bob met at Locust Skating Rink in their late teens and were married October 24, 1954, when they eloped to Chesterfield, SC. After living in Charlotte for a brief time, they moved back to Oakboro to make their home together. She worked in various clerical positions, then became the secretary of Ridgecrest Elementary School in the early 1970's. For nearly seventeen years Ridgecrest Elementary was her second home. She adored the staff, students, and families in that community. Bonda would often reference a former student as "one of her Ridgecrest babies". She later retired in 1999 from the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, Estate Division, as a Deputy Clerk of Court. Bonda loved talking to people and rarely met a stranger. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School at Oakboro First Baptist Church and volunteering at Stanly Memorial Hospital. Bonda loved the beach, gardening and telling you all about her grandchildren - they were her true joys. She was full of sass, spunk, and fun. Her feisty spirit kept everyone entertained during her last years at Alston Brook. Though we will miss her terribly, she has left us with too many sweet memories to count and our lives are indeed richer for the love she poured out onto all of us. We will forever be grateful for the ways our hearts will smile each time we think of her and every time we share a " Granny Story". It is a great comfort to know her spirit is in a more beautiful and peaceful place, where her body is completely healed.

Bonda's family wishes to thank the family of Alston Brook staff and caretakers for all the love and wonderful care they have given to our "Granny B" during these last three years, and also to the gracious staff of Hospice of Davidson County.

A graveside celebration of her life will be held on Friday, May 29, 2020 at 11 o'clock in the Oakboro Cemetery, Oakboro, NC.

Memorials to honor Bonda's memory may be made to Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292 or to The Children's Home Society of NC, P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Whitley family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com