August 22, 2026, 70, –Miss Martha Ann Whtifield, 70, life-long resident of the Garner’s Chapel area near Mount Olive, passed away early Saturday morning, August 22, 2026.
Ann ‘s life will be remembered on Saturday, August 29, at 11 a.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home. Officiating will be Pastor Paul Rose and Pastor Kevin Noble. Visitation will be during the hour just before services. Burial will be held privately at the Whitfield Family Cemetery on the family farm.
Ann was the second of three daughters born to farming parents. She graduated from North Duplin High School with the class of 1974, after which she earned an associate degree from Mount Olive College (now University). She then earned a bachelor degree in education from Campbell College (now University), and lastly, a master degree in library science from East Carolina University. Ann had a fulfilling career as librarian with Lenoir County Public Schools, serving at Southwood Elementary School in Kinston.
A life-long member of Garner’s Chapel Baptist Church, Ann served as its pianist and choir leader for the longest time. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served as registrar with the Carolina Patriots Chapter.
Furthermore, Ann was very interested in genealogy and was known for her immense love for animals, especially cats.
The last few years of Ann’s life were spent in two assisted living homes where she received personal devotion and daily care. Had it not been for Helping Hands Adult Care Home in Roxboro, and Cates Family Care Home in Chapel Hill, Ann would not have had the quality of life that she did. Grace and the nieces are eternally grateful for the splendid care she (and they) received.
Ann leaves behind her youngest sister, Grace Whitfield Carter and husband, Rob, of Bahama; two nieces and their husbands, Michelle C. and George Edwards of Mount Olive, and Kay C. and Matt Harris of Shelby; a great-niece, Abigail Faith Harris of Shelby; and two great-nephews, Michael Wayne Edwards of Mount Olive, and Andrew James Harris of Shelby; Also surviving are special friends, Larie Harper of Albertson, and Marcia and Randy McCullen of the Princeton area, who first were her college roommates with became forever friends and traveling companions.
In remembering Ann and what she has meant to so many, and in order to steer necessary funds to assist with the treatment of what Ann endured (Frontotemporal Degeneration, a form of Alzheimer’s), please consider making a memorial gift to FTD Disorders Registry LLC, 2700 Horizon Dr., Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.
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