Melvin Lee Whaley

d. September 4, 2021

Melvin Lee Whaley passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 4, 2021 at the young age of 75 years. It is believed that his heart gave out from carrying his oxygen tank on his favorite Friday trips to Kroger!

He left behind a heck of a lot of stuff to his 3 daughters (Jodi, Tami and Amy) who have no idea what to do with it. So..if you are in the market for an antique crockpot – it could be the first one ever made, you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch. Tomorrow would be fine.

Mel worked his entire life at Sara Lee (RB Rice & Jimmy Dean Division) retiring after working there over 35 years. He was a guru in all things pork and had mad BBQ skills.

Mel loved to golf with is wife, Sherri; however, he spent more time looking for his ball then actually hitting it. His extensive vocabulary was more than highly proficient at knowing more curse words then most people learned in a lifetime.

He was a master Fisherman and Fish Frying Chef. He and Sherri would always take us out on the pontoon boat with the pups and we would fish until sunset. Then return home to relax in their beautiful pool overlooking the lake. We affectionaly referred to their home as the Whaley Resort! It was beautiful! He would fry us up some of his delicious, freshly caught, Crappie.

Mel was a world renowned Up & Down the River, Hand & Boot, Spades, and Hearts card player. As soon as the sun set and fish was fried, we would play endless rounds of cards. He was infamous for going Nil, and even Blind Nil, for the win.

Mel attended church at Mt Vernon Baptist Church. This is where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized.

Mel will be sorely missed and survived by his wife, Sherri Lee Whaley, and 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren: Jodi Mariani, her husband Anthony, and granddaughters (Lauren and Payton); Tami Watlington, her husband Wayne, and grandson (Preston); and Amy Gunnoe, her husband Gary, and grandchildren (Savannah, Trey, and Dargin).

Mel did not want a formal service and he wanted his ashes to go to his daughter, Amy. Therefore, they are going to have a private family “Celebration of Life”.

If you would like to do something in his honor, I would love to see folks take snacks to the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House. They are real angels among that place!!! Families need to be able to grab something quick and stay close!!! It was a true blessing!

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melvin Lee Whaley, please visit our flower store.

Send a Card

Send a Gift

Melvin Lee Whaley

d. September 4, 2021

Guestbook