MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Helen Jenkins Farris Whatley, 85, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., formerly of Americus, Ga., died May 29, 2016, at East Cooper Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Mount Zion-St. Luke Lutheran Church. Pastor Barb Koch will officiate and Joe Smith will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Andersonville National Cemetery.
A native of Andersonville, Ga., Mrs. Whatley was born to the late Jake and Montez Smith and was raised in the Lutheran faith. She graduated from Oglethorpe High School, attended ABAC College in Tifton, Ga., Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga., and completed her bachelor’s of science, master’s and six-year degrees from Georgia Southern College.
Mrs. Whatley was a home economics teacher in Plains, Ga., and Ocilla, Ga., starting in 1952. She was married to Glenn Harold Jenkins, a police officer, from 1953 until his death in 1962. In 1967, she married William K. Farris Jr. and had many happy years and enjoyed being a second mother to his children, who survive her, William K.  Farris, III of Colbert, Ga., Jon D. Farris of West Palm Beach, Fla., Lyn F. Pruett of Blue Ridge, Ga., and Dawn F. Balkum of Lebanon, Va. William died in 2000. Mrs. Whatley served as a guidance counselor at both Albany High School and Warner Robins High School. Mrs. Whatley retired in 1987, as the director of admissions at Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins, Ga.
Mrs. Whatley enjoyed traveling, crafts and photography. In 1996, she moved to the Magnolia Manor Villas in Americus, Ga., and was a member of the Lee Street United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Pilot Club, The Eastern Star, The Association of University Women and the Warner Robins Retired Teachers Association.
In, 2013, Mrs. Whatley reached out to her former classmate, Clifford W. Whatley, by a Christmas card. This act sparked a reunion, their feelings blossomed; they were soon married and made their home in Mount Pleasant, S.C.
The family will receive friends one hour before the funeral at the church.
Those desiring may make contributions to the General Fund of the Mount Zion-St. Luke Lutheran Church, 401 Randolph St., Oglethorpe GA 31068.
To sign our online registry or to send condolences to the family, you may visit Mathews’ website at www.mathewsfuneralhome.com