Kaye Hathaway Worsley

Kaye Hathaway Worsley passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family in Wilmington, NC on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at the age of 80.

Kaye was born on April 11, 1940 in Bethel, NC to Joseph and Reba Hathaway. She worked on the family farm until she graduated from South Edgecombe High School in 1958. She married David Worsley, her high school sweetheart in 1959. After moving to Raleigh, NC, Kaye began working for Wachovia Bank while David attended college at NC State University. After welcoming her three children, Dave, Mike and Susan into their home, Kaye worked as David’s Office Manager at his Nationwide Insurance Agency in Raleigh.

Kaye will be remembered as a loving mother, devoted wife, supportive sister, nurturing grandmother and friend. She was a selfless individual who always put her children and family before herself, and was loved and admired by all who met her. She was an avid reader who enjoyed cooking, gardening, dancing to 50’s music, and spoiling her children/grandchildren.  All of her life, Kaye has been a faithful servant of God, and a second mother to so many.  As a child, she had perfect attendance at Sunday school for 18 years at Eagles Baptist Church in her hometown of Macclesfield, NC. As an adult, she was a dedicated charter member of Saint Andrews United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC. After moving to Wilmington full time, she and David attended Wrightsville United Methodist Church. Kaye’s family rejoices in the fact that she is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Kaye is survived by her husband of 61 years, David Worsley of Wilmington; son Dave Worsley Jr. and wife Shelly of Greensboro, NC, son Mike Worsley of Wilmington, NC, daughter Susan Worsley Salem and husband Casey of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren Austin, Lindsay, Lauren, Joshua, Avery, and great-grandson Ryder; sisters Joyce Butts of Keystone Heights, Florida, June Shearin of Enfield, NC, Faye Adcox of Macclesfield, NC, and Emily Turner of Macclesfield, NC. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Reba Hathaway and stepfather Craig Stallings, and brother James Craig “Bud” Stallings, Jr. of Macclesfield, NC.

Due to COVID restrictions, the family will hold a private graveside service, with a celebration of life to be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare/Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would like to thank Emily Turner, Kaye’s youngest sister, for being her guardian angel and caregiver the past 7 months, as well as the staff at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for their support and guidance in her final few weeks.

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