Betty Wilder Whitley

Betty Wilder Whitley, 72, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2026. She was born May 16, 1954, in Wake County to the late Franklin Delano Wilder and Betty Louise Wilder Stanley.

Betty graduated from Enloe High School, Class of 1972 where she earned her cosmetology license during her Senior year. She spent more than 45 years as a hairstylist, faithfully serving countless friends, family members, and clients who became much more than customers over the years. She genuinely loved people and had a special gift for making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.

Betty had a heart for serving others and found joy in the simple things that made a house feel like home. She was an incredible cook whose meals brought family together around the table. She loved flowers and gardening, loved being in the sunshine at the ocean, and had an amazing talent for painting, decorating, and making anything old look new again. If something needed to be made beautiful, Betty could always find a way to do it.

Betty loved Jesus. Her faith was evident not only in what she believed, but in the way she lived each day. She consistently showed the love of Jesus through her kindness, compassion, and servant's heart to her family and Church that she served for many years. She cherished her family beyond measure and found her greatest joy in loving them. Her life was a beautiful example of unconditional love and unwavering devotion to her family.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00am at Vision Church, 7633 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh, with Pastor Chris Pratt officiating. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 10:00am to 11:00am at Vision Church.

She is survived by her husband, Freddy Whitley; her son, Jason Hicks and wife, Kristy; her son, Randall Adams and fiancé, Kristy Poole; her grandchildren, Kailey, Parker, Madison, Preston, Owen, Sam and Mason; her brother, Frankie Wilder and wife, Jan; her nephews, Wesley Wilder and family and Justin Wilder and family; her special "sister" Kathy Penny.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Vision Church in memory of Betty Wilder Whitley. To honor Betty's life, we kindly invite guests to wear bright colors or floral prints in celebration of the joy she brought to those she knew.

Condolences to the family may be sent to bryan-leefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.