Rebecca Fortson Carson Whitley

   Rebecca Fortson Carson "Becky" Whitley, 80, of 167 Clipper Drive, Hertford, NC, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2018 in Vidant Inpatient Hospice, Greenville.

   Mrs. Whitley was born in Madison County, GA on January 16, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Paul Lee and Clara Beatenbough Fortson. A retired legal secretary, she was a member of Island Christian Fellowship. She loved Jesus dearly, prayed constantly and would often spontaneously thank God in every situation, even for little things. She also taught Sunday School for many years, dearly loved children and was a child at heart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Dr. John Hampton Carson, Sr., Ph.D., two sisters, Evelyn Fortson Adams and Rachel Fortson Haley, and by a brother, John C. Fortson.

   Surviving are her husband of five years, Richard Lee Whitley, Jr.; three daughters, Karen Carson Warren and husband Walt of Edenton, Christine Carson Soriano and husband Christopher of Huntington Beach, CA, and Cheryll Whitley Tassone of Gloucester Courthouse, VA; four sons, Stanley James Carson of Perrysburg, OH, Dr. John Hampton Carson, Jr., Ph.D. and wife Polona of Findlay, OH, Richard Lawrence Whitley and wife Sharon of Mebane, and Curtis Alan Whitley and wife Traci of Pilot Mountain, VA; a sister, Barbara Fortson Lloyd of Athens, GA; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

   A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, and will be conducted by Pastor Danny Gurganus. Friends may join the family in the funeral home immediately following the service.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 772, Edenton, NC 27932.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.