Stella Mae (Cox) Whitley

Stella Whitley Obituary Stella M. Whitley died peacefully on February 22, 2024. Stella Mae Cox was born on May 1, 1938, in Winona, West Virginia to Christine Margaret Cox and Grover Cleveland Cox, Sr. She was proceeded in death by two brothers Grover Cleveland, Jr. And Anthony Corwin. Her formative years of growing up were spent with her grandparents Caronia Agee Shepherd and Leonard E. Shepherd, Sr. She was educated in the West Virginia Public School System. Stella, accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized in Winona, West Virginia. In 1952, Stella’s parents relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. She joined her parents in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Glenville High School. After graduating from high school, she attended Boston University and Kent State University. While at Kent State University, she met the love of her life James M. Whitley. In 1961 she married James. To this union, one child was born Kent Allen Whitley. Stella was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. As a wife, she was devoted to her loving husband for 59 years. He proceeded her in death on September 10, 2021. She was also instrumental in helping her husband start his own architectural firm. As a mother, she was loving, caring and supportive of her son, encouraging him to follow in the architecture field like his father. As a homemaker, she organized the day-to-day operations of the household to make sure all ran smoothly with medical appointments, meetings, school events, and social events. She loved Broadway, The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom in the summer, and the incredible shows in Las Vegas. Stella was a very sociable person. She enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. Christmas was always a special time for her family with preparing, decorating, party planning, shopping, and selecting a tasty menu. She and her bestie Kaysonia Whitley would rotate the holidays between each home. She enjoyed traveling abroad, as she had done several times. She was an Alumnus member of Western Reserve (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, The Carrousels Inc. Cleveland Chapter, and one of the Chapter Founders of The Northeasterners, Inc. She also volunteered with the Ohio Mental and Behavioral Health Department for over 20 years alongside her mother. Stella will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, her generous heart, and her sweet spirit. Stella leaves to cherish her memory, her loving son Kent, (Pearl) Grandchildren, August, Zoe, and Amelia. She is also survived by her sister Angela (Dr. Alfred) Glover of Los Angeles, CA. Brother-in-law William Whitley of Twinsburg, OH, Sister- in-laws Gloria Fleming, of Maui HI, and Janice Carlsted of Stockholm, Sweden, 3 nieces, 5 nephews, and a host of cousins, and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stella Mae (Cox) Whitley, please visit our floral store. Read More

Stella Mae (Cox) Whitley

May 1, 1938 - February 22, 2024