Joi Wynette Whaley, 36, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2017. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at New Bethel Baptist Church, 2272 Townline Rd., Benton Harbor, MI. Visitation at 10am and service at 11am.
Joi was born at Benton Harbor Mercy Memorial Hospital on March 30, 1980 to John Howard Barnes and Sonia Marie Whaley, both of Benton Harbor MI.
She professed her hope in Christ at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late, Rev Emery Varrie.
Joi worked as a healthcare profession/hospice aid in Berrien Springs, MI. She also worked at Advanced Cab as a dispatcher for over 8 years.
Joi was one of the best cooks ever!! She had a big heart and would invite anyone to her home and feed them. Joi was a great mother and a natural care giver. She loved her siblings, children, nieces, nephews and friends.
Joi is survived by her father, John Howard Barnes of Benton Harbor, MI; mother, Sonia Marie (Willard) McAfee of Benton Harbor, MI; grandmother, Lena Phillips of Benton Harbor, MI; sisters, Monique Whaley of Benton Harbor, MI, Quacy (Desmond) Timmons of Pine Mountain, GA, Danielle Purnell of Roanoke VA; brothers, Frank Barnes of Nashville, TN, Robert Whaley of Layton, UT, Dominic Johnson of Benton Harbor, MI; children; Kenya Valentine, Jordan Gillespie, Delrecco Gillespie, Brian Gillespie; nieces: Taryn And Taylor Timmons; nephews: Trenell Bell, Robert Whaley Jr, Kamari Whaley Stovall, Denim Whaley; great- nephew, Dominic Bell; God mother, Cynthia Taylor of Benton Harbor, MI; host of aunts, uncles and cousins; special friends: Corey Spencer, China Collins, Natalie Singer and Iesha Hampton.
She was proceeded in death by her paternal grand parents,Frank and Julia Barnes; maternal grandfather, Clyde Washington; stepmom, Shirley Ann Barnes; brother, Brian E. Cole, and best friend, Stacey McCree.