Auva Nell Whitley was born on May 17, 1924 in Duke, Oklahoma the daughter of Claude and Ruby (Baker) McElroy. She grew up in Duke and graduated from high school there. She was married to Massey (Neal) Whitley, who was a career Air Force member, so they moved often as he received new duty station assignments. They lived in Japan, Wichita Falls, Texas, and Osceola, Wisconsin. Upon retiring they moved back to Wichita Falls, Texas where she and Massey opened and ran "Neal's Famous Hamburgers" café. Auva always looked forward to regular visits from her son and his family when they came to Texas. In 2007, after being widowed for three years she moved to Amery, Wisconsin so she could be closer to her family. During her lifetime Auva truly enjoyed entertaining herself and others by playing the piano and especially the organ. She also enjoyed sewing and she loved to find a bargain at a garage sale. Auva was always seen wearing several lovely pieces of jewelry as she thought that a lady always needed a bit of sparkle. She was a member of the Disabled American Veteran's Association and the Eastern Star. Auva had been a resident of Evergreen Village where she made many new friends and her southern accent always brought a smile to those around her. In January she moved to Golden Age Manor where she passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at the age of 88 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Massey Whitley and a young brother Alpha Lee McElroy. Left to mourn her loss are her son Bob (Leanne) Whitley; brother Forrest (Sue) McElroy ;
2 grandchildren: Jason (Chelsea) Whitley and Brooke (Gunnar) Benware, 6 great grandchildren;Sophia, Otto, Lewis, and Theodore Whitley, Reese and Charli Benware as well as other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held in Wichita Falls, Texas on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.at Bible Baptist Church. There will be a visitation time for the hour prior to the service at the church. The Hampton- Vaughan Funeral Home is assisting the family in Texas.