Wilhelmenia Whatley

Wilhelmenia Whatley (Thompson) was born on April 15, 1943, in Mullins, SC, to the late Theodore Sr. and Inez (Graham) Thompson. She departed this life May 29, 2020. Wilhelmenia was the last living relative of the eight siblings. Her siblings' names were Dora Lee Smith, Theodore Jr., Wallace, Walter, Samuel, Pearletha, and Adolph Thompson. Wilhelmenia better is known as (Mena) relocated to Long Island, NY, with her family, where she accepted Christ as her Lord and savior. Mena graduated from Bay Shore High School in the year of 1960. After relocating to Dayton, OH, in her early twenties she met and married the love of her life Archie Whatley Jr., in 1963.

She began her career in the mental health field at the Dayton Mental Health Center formally known as the Dayton State Hospital in 1969. For over thirty years she worked and retired from the mental health field where she impacted the lives of those blessed enough to have known her. In the year of 1986, Wilhelmenia joined Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church where she was an active member of her church community and remained hardworking up until her health began to decline. While at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church she was the president of the Missionary Board where she implemented many programs such as gift-giving for the nursing home, the food basket, and the stay at home tea program. She was a pillar in the community and a very instrumental in developing the Vancouver drive block club. Wilhelmenia was a troop leader for the campfire girls

Mena was known to be "blessed by the best and highly favored". In such a small frame stood a wonderful God-fearing woman who demanded the respect she well deserved whenever she entered into any room.  She was such a memorable woman who will never be forgotten. Her memory lives on through her descendants. Her fiery spirit lives within her family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memories her devoted husband of 56 years, three children Tonya, Dwayne, all of Dayton OH, and Lisa (Carl) of Fayetteville, NC her in-laws Evelyn Whatley and Donald Smith, both of Dayton OH, her five grandchildren: Carl Jr. (Zucet), Amber, Calvin (Je’Lesa), Carlisa (Matthew), and Rene and her four great-grandchildren Calell, Lee (deceased), Prince and Anala as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of family and friends. Pastor Carlos Daniel, officiating. Please be aware social distancing will be practiced.

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