Carolyn Stone Whitley, age 65, passed away at her residence November 05, 2025, after a short illness. She was born in Palatka, FL on May 31, 1960, to the late Henry Matthew Stone and Martha Hutchinson Stone. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Matthew Merritt; brothers, Arthur and John Wesley, Hoke, Henry, Melvin and Kenny Stone; sisters Martha Lucille Barnette, Wanda Mullinnix, Quida Faye Roberson, Rebecca Ann White, and Bobby Jean Stone.

She was a member of the Pentecostal/ Holiness faith.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, James D. Whitley of Nicholls; son, Christopher Walter Merritt; daughter, Amy Christina Payton of Waycross; sister, Nell Taylor (Billy) of Douglas; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 10, 2025, at 2 PM at Crosby Funeral Home with Rev. Jamie Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 1 PM until service time.

Active pallbearers include Daniel Collins, Cameron Porter, Zachary Porter, Stevie Moore, Ricky Rowell, and Roy Oglesby.

All in attendance will be considered honorary pallbearers.