Person:Neola Whitlock (1)

Neola Virginia Whitlock Marietta passed away Nov. 20, 2003. Neola was born in Jefferson County, IL the youngest daughter of Kelley and Mabel Reid Whitlock on Dec. 11, 1916.

She grew up in Southern Illinois and graduated from Centralia Township High School in 1934. She attended Southern Illinois University where she met and married E. LaVern Marietta graduating in May of 1939. She taught Elementary Grade school in Souththern Illinois, Cedar Falls, Iowa, East Lansing, Ibadan, Nigeria and retired from Kalamazoo Public Schools.

She was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo and sang in the Choir for many years and held various offices She was a member of the Mar-O-Not Class and the American Baptist Women's Ministries. She was honored by the American Baptist Women of Michigan as "Woman of the Year" in the year 2000.

She was a life member of American Association of University Women and of Ladies Library Association for a number of years. She was going to be honored this Sunday for dedication and years of service with the First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Mary G. Whitlock and Edwina (Whitlock) Austin and one brother J.B. Whitlock. Also by one son; T.J. Marietta in Jan of 2003. She is survived by her husband Vern of 64 years, a son and daughter-in-law, a daughter, 4 grandchildren, a daughter-in-law and a brother-in-law, Phil Austin and numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo with burial of cremains at Mt. Ever Rest Cemetery.