Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Spouses
BirthJul 6, 1928, Caswell County, North Carolina [20497]
DeathAug 31, 2004, Alamance County, North Carolina [20497]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [20497]
OccupationCo Owner Of Funwood Auction House And Antique Dealer [22067]
FatherWalter Kitchen OAKLEY (1902-1973)
MotherIda Susan TERRELL (1902-2000)
Marriageabt 1949 [20497]
Obituary Online notes for Vernell HARRELSON
Vernell Harrelson Oakley
January 1, 1932 - April 1, 2026
Vernell Harrelson Oakley Obituary
Vernell Harrelson Oakley, 94, of Burlington, NC passed away at her residence on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
She was born in Caswell County to the late Pete and Mabel Harrelson. She was married to Ernest L. Oakley for 54 years. She was employed at Kayser Roth Hosiery and was also part owner, along with her husband, of Funwood Auction House. Vernell was an excellent seamstress, an avid reader of romance novels and a wonderful cook. She loved listening to music and singing, especially bluegrass and square dancing. She was a member of the Shallowford Squares for many years. Vernell was a long-time member of Hopedale Christian Church and attended Zion Christian Church.
Vernell is survived by two sons, Jerry Oakley (Linda) of Burlington and Ricky Oakley of Mooresville; two grandchildren, Tracy Lawson (Caleb) of Mebane and Matthew Oakley of Atlanta, GA; three great grandchildren who were the love of her heart, Morgan Lawson, Madelyn Lawson, and Molly Lawson. She loved her family and extended family including many nieces and nephews.
Vernell was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest L. Oakley; six sisters, Pauline Walker, Eliza Simmons, Mary McKinney, Hazel McKinney, Louise Clayton, and Betty Stowe and two brothers, Emmitte Harrelson and Pete Harrelson, Jr.
The funeral service will be conducted at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Graham, NC on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Rodney Staley with the family receiving friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to her full-time caregiver, Val Ortega, for the care and kindness extended to Vernell in the last 14 months of her life. Vernell loved life and laughter but also loved her Lord and Savior. Today she is in eternal home.
https://www.richandthompson.com/obituaries/Vernell-Harrelson-Oakley?obId=48030097 [22066]
January 1, 1932 - April 1, 2026
Vernell Harrelson Oakley Obituary
Vernell Harrelson Oakley, 94, of Burlington, NC passed away at her residence on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
She was born in Caswell County to the late Pete and Mabel Harrelson. She was married to Ernest L. Oakley for 54 years. She was employed at Kayser Roth Hosiery and was also part owner, along with her husband, of Funwood Auction House. Vernell was an excellent seamstress, an avid reader of romance novels and a wonderful cook. She loved listening to music and singing, especially bluegrass and square dancing. She was a member of the Shallowford Squares for many years. Vernell was a long-time member of Hopedale Christian Church and attended Zion Christian Church.
Vernell is survived by two sons, Jerry Oakley (Linda) of Burlington and Ricky Oakley of Mooresville; two grandchildren, Tracy Lawson (Caleb) of Mebane and Matthew Oakley of Atlanta, GA; three great grandchildren who were the love of her heart, Morgan Lawson, Madelyn Lawson, and Molly Lawson. She loved her family and extended family including many nieces and nephews.
Vernell was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest L. Oakley; six sisters, Pauline Walker, Eliza Simmons, Mary McKinney, Hazel McKinney, Louise Clayton, and Betty Stowe and two brothers, Emmitte Harrelson and Pete Harrelson, Jr.
The funeral service will be conducted at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Graham, NC on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Rodney Staley with the family receiving friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to her full-time caregiver, Val Ortega, for the care and kindness extended to Vernell in the last 14 months of her life. Vernell loved life and laughter but also loved her Lord and Savior. Today she is in eternal home.
https://www.richandthompson.com/obituaries/Vernell-Harrelson-Oakley?obId=48030097 [22066]
Obituary Online notes for Ernest Lee (Spouse 1)
9/2/2004
OBITUARIES Mr. Ernest Lee Oakley
BURLINGTON — Mr. Ernest Lee Oakley , 76, of Burlington, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 at home. He was born July 6, 1928, to Walter K. and Ida Terrell Oakley of Caswell County, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Vernell Harrelson Oakley ; two sons, J.L. "Jerry" Oakley of Burlington and Rickey P. Oakley and wife, Donna, of Matthews, N.C.; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five sisters, Mrs. Annie Mae Brafford of Burlington, Mrs. Martha May and husband, Walter, of Burlington, Mrs. Grace Baker and husband, Curry of Burlington, Mrs. Frances Tatum and husband, Leonard, of Burlington, and Mrs. Eva Isom and husband, Jim, of Ringgold, Va.; and five brothers, Mr. Obie Oakley and wife, Julia, of Yanceyville, Mr. Walter I. Oakley and wife, Doris, of Danville, Va., Mr. Thurman Oakley and wife, Lois, of Burlington, Mr. Bobby Oakley and wife, Betty, of Burlington, and Mr. Billy Oakley and wife, Linda, of Burlington.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James A. Oakley .
Mr. Oakley was co-owner of Funwood Auction House and a long time antique dealer. He was a member of Shallow Ford Squares. He attended Mt. Zion Christian Church, Burch Bridge Road, Burlington.
A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rich & Thompson Funeral Home in Graham this evening.
Funeral will be at Zion Christian Church, Burch Bridge Road, Burlington, N.C., Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. George M. Phillips, with burial to follow the service in Alamance Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Zion Christian Church, 2263 Burch Bridge Road, Burlington, N.C. 27217.
Condolences may be sent to the family at info@richandthompson.com [22068]
OBITUARIES Mr. Ernest Lee Oakley
BURLINGTON — Mr. Ernest Lee Oakley , 76, of Burlington, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 at home. He was born July 6, 1928, to Walter K. and Ida Terrell Oakley of Caswell County, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Vernell Harrelson Oakley ; two sons, J.L. "Jerry" Oakley of Burlington and Rickey P. Oakley and wife, Donna, of Matthews, N.C.; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five sisters, Mrs. Annie Mae Brafford of Burlington, Mrs. Martha May and husband, Walter, of Burlington, Mrs. Grace Baker and husband, Curry of Burlington, Mrs. Frances Tatum and husband, Leonard, of Burlington, and Mrs. Eva Isom and husband, Jim, of Ringgold, Va.; and five brothers, Mr. Obie Oakley and wife, Julia, of Yanceyville, Mr. Walter I. Oakley and wife, Doris, of Danville, Va., Mr. Thurman Oakley and wife, Lois, of Burlington, Mr. Bobby Oakley and wife, Betty, of Burlington, and Mr. Billy Oakley and wife, Linda, of Burlington.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James A. Oakley .
Mr. Oakley was co-owner of Funwood Auction House and a long time antique dealer. He was a member of Shallow Ford Squares. He attended Mt. Zion Christian Church, Burch Bridge Road, Burlington.
A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rich & Thompson Funeral Home in Graham this evening.
Funeral will be at Zion Christian Church, Burch Bridge Road, Burlington, N.C., Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. George M. Phillips, with burial to follow the service in Alamance Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Zion Christian Church, 2263 Burch Bridge Road, Burlington, N.C. 27217.
Condolences may be sent to the family at info@richandthompson.com [22068]