WENDELL – Martha Mariette Whitley White Joseph, 92, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2009 at her home after months of declining health.

She was born October 25, 1916 in Johnston County to the late Paul Harper Whitley and Lossie Williams Whitley. She graduated from Wendell High School in 1932 and went on to receive her degree from Atlantic Christian College in 1936.

Marietta was the granddaughter of the late Rayford Bryant Whitley and Mamie Harper Whitley who co-founded the town of Wendell.

The Harper family, which would represent her grandmother, was instrumental with the founding of Atlantic Christian College, now known as Barton College in Wilson.

She was a very gifted writer, who wrote for the Gold Leaf Farmer and the News & Observer.

Her passion was her ability to research and perfect her family genealogy. She loved her family, her cats and ducks.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Wendell United Methodist Church, 129 N. Main Street, Wendell. Marietta’s family will receive relatives and friends at Wendell United Methodist Church immediately following the memorial service.

Survivors include her children, Jeanne White Poole and husband William E. Poole of Wrightsville Beach, Wallace Paul White and wife, Becky Wimmer White of Wendell, Phillip Allen White and wife Jenny Mylum White of Wendell and W. Reid White and wife Mary Ussery-White of Chapel Hill; grandchildren R. Matthew Pauney of Asheville, John H. Poole of Wilmington, Vincent Paul White and wife Gina, Paige White Perry and husband Jonathan, Travis Allen White and wife Angie, Phillip Bryan White and Anna Blair White all of Wendell, Jessica Lauren White and Kathryn Elisabeth White both of Chapel Hill; great-grandchildren, Andrew White, Jackson White, Parker Perry, Jayden Allen and Gavin Theophin.

In addition to her parents, Marietta was preceded in death by her husbands Wallace Wilcox White and George Easter Joseph; sister, Eleanor Bell Whitley; and brother Rayford Bryant Whitley II.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wendell Rescue Squad, PO Box 84, Wendell, N.C., 27591 or to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah, 84741.

Arrangements are by L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory, Knightdale. Condolences to the family may be made at www.poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.