Gerald Whitley, 34-year veteran of Wayne County schools, dies
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 7, 2004 2:10 PM
Former Goldsboro High School Principal Gerald Whitley lost his battle with cancer Tuesday evening at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Whitley, 55, recently retired from the Wayne County public schools, where he has been assistant superintendent for personnel since 2000. For the past two years, he has been treated for lung cancer, and on Thursday, he was admitted to Kitty Askins.
Whitley
During his career with the school system, he worked as a teacher at Goldsboro Middle School and was principal at Goldsboro High, Goldsboro Junior High and Dillard Middle schools. In 1980, he coached the girls' basketball team at Goldsboro High School that won the state championship.
Other honors included being recognized twice as Principal of the Year, receiving the "Man of Distinction" award for Dillard Alumni and Friends, and induction into the Goldsboro/Dillard High schools' sports hall of fame in 1995.
Dr. Steven Taylor, superintendent of Wayne County public schools, responded to the loss this morning.
"Mr. Whitley was a dedicated, loyal educator for 34 years who impacted the lives of many students, staff, parents and the community," he said. "His contributions to education are seen in the success of the students‰ lives he has touched.
"His work in the field of education is both admired and respected by fellow educators and colleagues across the state. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife, Carol, his children and the rest of his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."