Ramell Miller Whitley was born on December 25, 1919 in Matthews, NC to the late Emma Miller and John Porter. She was the oldest of five children. Her four siblings, Willie Fair Maxwell, Lucille Lawrence, Elique Stitt, and Robert Pierce, all preceded her in death.

Ramell attended Janesville School and completed the 7th grade. There was no high school in the county where she lived, therefore she had to begin work in the cotton fields. She later worked at Kuykendahl for many years before going to work for the Taylor family.

In 1959, the Taylor family moved to Winston-Salem and Ramell and her family moved along with them. Ramell worked for the Taylors for over 50 years. She helped to raise their children and their children's children until health and age prevented her from working. The Taylors were indeed family to Ramell.

While in Matthews, she belonged to Janesville AME Zion Church. Once she moved to Winston-Salem, NC she joined Zion Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Oscar B. Cook and attended Grace United Church where Rev. Joseph Parks was the pastor. She was a longstanding member of Zion Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, joining under the leadership of Dr. Joseph Jones. Ramell enjoyed working in ministry as an Usher and member of the Pastor's Aide Committee. She was always willing to do her part in ministry and especially enjoyed fellowship with others.

She loved to cook and was known for her coconut cake and egg custard pie. She also loved to fish and would travel to different states to do so. She enjoyed yard work and had the prettiest yard on the block. She resided in the Castle Heights community for over 60 years.

Ramell married the late, Joe Whitley in 1938. They were the proud parents of three daughters: Emma, Lucille and Willie Faye.

On December 12, 2024, surrounded by her family, she passed away. In addition to her parents, siblings and husband, she was preceded in death by her grandsons, Kenyon Whitley and Benjamin Little; great grandson, Kendall Barker; great granddaughter, Natasha Whitley and great-great-great grandchildren, Nasir Carter and Dominique Whitley-Kellum.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters: Emma Sings of Charlotte, NC, Mary Lucille Whitley and Willie Faye Whitley; 11 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 52 great-great grandchildren and 20 great-great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Friday, December 20, 2024 at Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service 11 AM, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Zion Memorial Baptist Church, 101 N. Dunleith Avenue, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101. The family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Interment in Garden of Memories.

For a copy of funeral program click here