Grace Mercer Whaley, of Beulaville, passed away Friday, February 25, 2022.

She was born July 5, 1934 to the late John Rommie Mercer and Margie Sumner Mercer. She was married for 56 years to the love of her life, the late Ervin Whaley, to whom she was a devoted and loyal wife. Grace dedicated her life to her family. Nothing gave her more pleasure than to have her family gathered around her eating table. She enjoyed cooking and was very good at it. She always wanted to make sure she had something "sweet" prepared if she knew the grandkids were coming home from college over the weekend. Chocolate layer cakes were always a highlight of trips home.

For many years Grace and Ervin were dedicated members of Lanier's Chapel Original Free Will Baptist Church in Chinquapin, and they developed lifelong friendships with other members of the church family. Later in life, Grace and Ervin subsequently became members of Cabin Original Free Will Baptist Church where they built inseparable bonds with another church family. In her church activities, Grace proudly served as a pianist, enjoyed singing in (and sometimes directing) the choir, served on the benevolence committee, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Music was her personal passion. She relished the opportunity to coordinate with many gospel music groups, often arranging for special sings and other events at her church and taking trips with her friends to weekend gospel sings. She enjoyed supporting the University of Mount Olive and served as a Bridge Builder on behalf of her church family for many years.

Grace was a lifelong resident of Duplin County but loved to travel. Highlights of her travel included visits to "Amish Country" in Hershey, Pennsylvania with Ervin and friends and trips to see the bright lights of New York City and to see relatives in Arizona. She was known for her beautiful smile and her passion for her flowers. She was never happier than on a sunny day when she had the opportunity to work outside in her flowers. She spent many endless days taking care of her flowers and riding her golf cart. Even a decline in health did not affect her passion for her flowers; she equipped her golf cart with a hoe and rake so she could ride and manicure the flower beds, never missing a beat. She was full of determination and never complained, even when she slowed down.

Grace had a devoted and close-knit group of friends with whom she spent many meals and outings, particularly Sunday lunches and weeknight dinners. Along with her sister Mildred Kennedy and friends Ella Houston and Fletah Murphy, her family lovingly referred to them as the "new" Golden Girls. As long as their health allowed, they set aside the first Tuesday of each month to go shopping, go out to eat, or do something special!  Grace's friends were very special to her.

Grace is survived by her children, Douglas Ervin Whaley of Beulaville and Debbie W. Houston (Pender Sharp) of Wilson; grandchildren, Margie Houston Hunter (Scott) of Chinquapin and Matthew Thomas Houston (Brooke) of Raleigh; sister, Mildred Kennedy of Pink Hill; and sisters-in-law Clara Whaley (Elwood) of Jacksonville and Bertha Whaley of Chinquapin.

The family would like to thank Sherry Hatcher, Angie Mobley, Morgan Henderson, Angie Miller, Bonnie Farmer, and many others for the outstanding care they provided Grace over the last several years. Her village of caregivers helped her enjoy life to the fullest as her health gradually declined. The family would also like to express a special note of gratitude to Kindred At Home, and particularly Justin and Mia, for the outstanding therapy services provided over that time. Grace's final years were much better because of each of them.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 27, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Cabin Original Free Will Baptist Church in Beulaville, NC. Burial will immediately follow the service at the church Cemetery.

Community Funeral Home is honored to serve the Whaley Family.