Lila R. Whatley

Whatley, Lila R. age 86 of Knoxville, born, January 2, 1924 in Prattsville, Alabama, passed away Friday, August 13, 2010 at NHC Farragut where she had been lovingly cared for during the last five years. Early in life, her parents moved to Andalusia, Alabama where she graduated from high school as valedictorian of her class and was editor of her school paper. She entered Alabama College for Women at Montevallo (Montevallo University). Before graduating, she was a member of the Student Senate; secretary-treasurer of Phi Kappi Delta, National Honorary Fraternity in Oratory, debate and public speaking; president of the Westminster Fellowship and associate editor of the Alabamian college newspaper. The summer between her junior and senior year was spent in special studies at Columbia University. An attractive offer through the English department of the University of Tennessee resulted in her coming to Knoxville in the 1946 to pursue an advanced degree. However, the passage of the “G.I. Bill” resulted in an influx of G.I.’s after World War II and a shortage of freshman English teachers existed. She became a fulltime freshman English instructor for a year. This was followed by a year spent as Director of Program Activities at the YWCA in Knoxville. On the first Sunday in July 1947 while attending Erin Presbyterian Church, she met a new faculty member at U. T. and eleven months later they were married. Over the next two decades, her life was devoted to family affairs, church and community endeavors. A return to public work place as a substitute teacher was followed by 16 years as a fulltime English teacher at Bearden High School. One of her greatest loves was teaching the Advanced Placement Class. Lila’s retirement came in 1985. Along the way, she was a member of the University Faculty Women’s Club and the Embroidery Guild. As an active member of Second Presbyterian Church, she served a two year term as President of the Women’s Association. She also served as President of the Deane Hill Garden Club. For several years after retirement, she worked with her husband as a tax counselor with AARP, assisting senior citizens in preparing federal and state income tax returns. Lila is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dr. Tom Whatley; son and daughter-in-law, John and Kathy Whatley, Potomac, Maryland; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Bill Seifart, Leesburg, Virginia; grandchildren, Mike, Kate and Maggie Whatley and Tommy Seifart; brother-in-law, Guy Birchfield, Jonesboro, Georgia. Funeral service 7:00 PM Monday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with Reverend Bryan Wilson officiating. Family and friends will meet by 9:45 AM Tuesday at the main entrance to Highland Memorial Cemetery for a 10:00 AM interment service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Lila R. Whatley

January 2, 1924 - August 13, 2010