Viola Doby Whitesell

Lillian Viola Doby Whitesell, 88, passed away peacefully on Monday March 27, 2023 at Moses Cone Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on September 17, 1934 in Surry County to the late Troy Lee Doby, Sr. and Bessie Lynch Doby, and was the wife of 69 years to the late Gaynor Maurice Whitesell who died in 2022.

Viola was a homemaker and a former employee of Liberty Hosiery. She was a charter  member of First Baptist Church of Whitsett where she was the director of  Vacation Bible School for many years, choir member, sang in the Gospel Echos Quartet and director of Word of Life Olympian program for about 40 years. Viola enjoyed camping with family and friends, she and Gaynor traveled to all 50 states including Canada and Mexico. But most of all she loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her sons, Ronald “Ronnie” Gaynor Whitesell and wife Shirley, and Kendall Maurice Whitesell and wife Judy; grandchildren, Alan Whitesell and wife Christina, Caleb, Jacob, and Troy Whitesell, Lisa Sturgill and husband Charles; brothers, Coy Wayne Doby and James Doby and wife Becky; a brother-in-law, Archie Capps; sisters-in-law, Joy Doby, Linda Doby and Brenda Doby; and numerous nieces and nephews. Viola was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a sister, Louise Capps and brothers, Troy Doby, Jr. and Paul William Doby.

A funeral service will be held at 3 PM on Thursday, April 6th, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Whitsett.  The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow the service at Gibsonville City Cemetery.