Verdie Mae Johnson-Whitley

Verdie was the fifth child in the union of Ethel and Jessie Lee Hunter.  In her own way she was A FIFTH DIMENSIONAL BEING to our family. JOY, HAPPINESS, KINDNESS, SUPPORTIVE, and STRONG WILLED are the words that best describe our Verdie. She was the life to every encounter, and would give her last to help someone.

Growing up in Arkansas, her birth state, she completed her formal education, came to know the Lord, and began her journey into motherhood.  During her adult life she resided in St Louis, Missouri; Los Angeles, California, and San Diego, California where she reunited with her past suitor, united in holy matrimony and moved to Chula Vista, California.

During Verdie's residence in California, she was employed by Los Angeles Unified School District until her retirement. Upon marrying Rudolph Whitley, she joined and attended New Creation Church, under the leadership of Pastor Reginald L. Gary.  She was an active member of several community organizations where she gave of her time and energy to promote the goals of the organizations.

Verdie is preceded in death by her mother (Ethel) and father (Jessie Lee), her husband, Rudolph Whitley; her daughter, Lavorta Salley Pettway; two brothers, Freddie Lee Hunter and Carlton Hunter; three sisters, Mattie Mae Smith, Rose Letchaw, and Mae Turner. 

She leaves to cherish her memory a son, Jessie B Hunter, San Diego, California; grand-children:  Knetha McDuffie, Nicole Hunter, Stephanie Hunter, D'Undre Byrd, and Unique Hunter all from the San Diego, California area.  Great grand-children:  Saqqara McDuffie, True Hunter, Justice Hunter, and Myriah Byrd; a sister, Laverne Turner Jones, Lancaster, Texas; a brother-in-law, Otis Letchaw, San Diego, California and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

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