Rachel Marie (Donahue) Whitley

Rachel Marie Donahue Whitley, 78, of Kannapolis died Monday, April 18, 2022 at Transitional Health Services of Kannapolis after a brief period of declining health.

A funeral service to celebrate Rachel’s life will be held at Kannapolis Church of God on Friday, April 22 with family receiving friends from 12:30 to 2:00 PM in the sanctuary; followed by the funeral service beginning at 2:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Greg Sloop officiating. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park.

Rachel was born June 14, 1943 in Cabarrus Co., the daughter of the late John H. Donahue and Gladys Morrow Daniels in addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa W. Cox and her son, Timothy L. Whitley.

Rachel was a lifelong area resident, graduate of A. L. Brown- Class of 1961. She attended the Kannapolis Church of God and worked at Philip-Morris until retiring in 2004. Rachel loved the Lord and her church and enjoyed teaching children’s Sunday school classes. Rachel was an exceptional baker and loved to bake cakes for weddings, showers and birthdays. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Rachel was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Robert J. Whitley of Kannapolis and her daughter, Karen W. Prince (Sonny T.) of Landis. Her grandchildren are Jenny Gutierrez, Wes, Tyler and Jonathan Whitley, Amber Kent, Zackary Laney and 11 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.