Extracted from The Butler Herald (Butler, GA)
Thursday, September 13, 1951

Widow of Former Taylor Co. Official Dies at Reynolds

Funeral for Mrs. Whatley at Reynolds This Afternoon at 4:30 o'Clock

Death occurred yesterday Wednesday -- 1 o'clock p.m. to one of Reynolds' oldest and most universally beloved Christian women in the passing of Mrs. Elizabeth Saunders Whatley.

Mrs. Whatley was the widow of Hon. James Henry Whatley, who at the time of his death March 3, 1936, and for a number of years prior thereto Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of Taylor County and one of the county's largest and most successful farmers, his lovely home and lands he cultivated being located three miles south of Reynolds.

Mrs. Whatley was born July 8, 1868 at Reynolds, the lovely daughter of the late Mr. James and Mrs. Martha Mitchell Saunders. She spent her entire life in Reynolds community where she was known for loyalty to her loved ones and friends and administration of kind deeds where possible and she finding the opportunity for so doing. She had been a member and regular attendant at divine worship in Reynolds Baptist church since early life.

Surviving Mrs. Whatley are four sons, Messrs Thurman and Edgar Whatley, Drs. H. C. and C. E. Whatley; one daughter, Mrs. B.W. Hinton; two brothers, Messrs Jim and Carter Saunders, all prominent residents of Reynolds; and one sister, Mrs. Oscar Duckworth of Columbus.

Funeral services have been announced for 4:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Reynolds Baptist church, services to be conducted by Rev. H. F. Jelks, pastor of the church, with interment of the remains in the family lot, Hill Crest cemetery. Pall bearers will include the grandsons of the deceased with Goddard Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.