Betty Jean Whitley Cloninger

Betty Jean Whitley Cloninger, 90, of Ellerbe, passed away Monday, January 10, 2022 at her home.  

Mrs. Cloninger was born November 2, 1931 in Stanly County, a daughter of the late Crawford Fred and Sarah Ann Barbee Whitley. She graduated from Mt. Gilead High School and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Ellerbe where she served on several committees. She worked with Gilead Manufacturing for 40 years and later at Shanna Manufacturing in Biscoe and then she and Elva Mabe operated A Stitch Above in Ellerbe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, William Luther “Bill” Cloninger, and siblings, Roy Lee Whitley, Cromer H. Whitley, Oral C. Whitley, Deanie Richardson, Faye Whitley, Rachel Whitley, and Doris Cloninger.

Surviving are her sons, Barry L. Cloninger and wife Darlene and W. Keith Cloninger and friend Amanda McKenzie; grandchildren, Denise Purvis, Billy Cloninger, Melissa Moore, Justin Cloninger, and Bruce Cloninger; great grandchildren, Megan Helton, Jodi Phillips, Nathan Cloninger, Caleb Moore, Abby Moore, Noah Cloninger, Amanda Moore, and Paisley Cloninger ; great great grandchildren, Madie Hubbell and Trip Helton and beloved canine companion, Gypsy.

A service to celebrate the life of Betty Cloninger will be at 1:00 pm Saturday at First Baptist Church in Ellerbe with Rev. Dr. Jim Brown and Rev. Jason Moore officiating. The family will greet friends following the service.

Face coverings are requested for the service and visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 8, Ellerbe, NC 28338.

Condolences may be made online at www.carterfuneral.net.