Dr. Mary Harrison Whaley, Ed. departed this world on January 29, 2016. She succumbed to a number of ongoing health issues. Mrs. Whaley is preceded in death by husband William Whaley and grandson Anthony Stewart. She is survived by sons Kevin and Brian Whaley, grandson Allen Whaley, and granddaughters Kaylah Whaley, Brittany and Brianna Whaley. Mary was born July 23^rd 1936 to Sadie Allen Harrison and Adolphus Harrison in Clarksville, Tennessee. She attended grade school and eventually graduated from Burt High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Following graduation, she attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee where she graduated with a major in English. While in Nashville, she met William Thomas Whaley from Richmond Virginia who attended Tennessee State. They married and moved to Knoxville Tennessee and raised two sons, Brian and Kevin Whaley. Mary served the Knoxville community in multiple capacities. She initially worked with the state of Tennessee as a Social Worker and was a member of several non-profit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Jack and Jill of America. She was a proud member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, The Alliance of Women Doctors, and an active Fisk Alum. Mary also attended the University of Tennessee and earned both a Masters of Social Work and a Doctorate of Education. In addition to being a Social Worker for the State, Mary held multiple positions in Knoxville. Mary was an Administrator in the Department of Social Work at the University of Tennessee and held multiple positions at Knoxville College (KC), including Assistant Dean of Students. Most recently, Mary taught a course in 2014 at KC. Mary will be sorely missed by many family and friends. However, her spirit, an endearing and genuinely kind spirit, will continue to resonate and touch us all.

This obituary was posted on Friday, January 29th, 2016 at 11:00 am.
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