Obituary of Wendell L. Worley, Sr.

Wendell Lewis Worley, Sr. was born on September 16, 1928, to the late Charles Rufus and Helen Tyree Worley in Madison County, Mt. Sterling, Ohio. He passed from this earthly life on April 6, 2014, at the age of 85. As a child, Wendell grew up on the Worley family farm in Mt. Sterling. When he was about 11 or 12 years of age, he was baptized by the Mt. Sterling Baptist Church. The baptism took place in a creek known as Deer Creek. When he was about 16 years old, he left the farm and moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked for B & T Metals. In 1953, he left Ohio to join the U.S. Navy, where he served until 1963. After his departure from military service, he decided to make Burlington County, New Jersey, his home. When he got out of the Navy, he started his own janitorial business (Worley Janitorial Service), which he ran for many years. Later on, he worked at the United States Post Office in Bellmawr, New Jersey for over 20 years. He retired from postal service in 1992. He belonged to Woodlin Lodge #30 F & AM, Pha in Bordentown, New Jersey. He was a member of New Life Cathedral Church in Burlington County, New Jersey, for over 17 years. Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Rufus and Helen Tyree Worley; step-mother Jettie Worley; son Wendell L. Worley, Jr.; brother Willis Worley; and sisters Phyllis Diggs and Joyce Johnson. He leaves to cherish his memory daughters Deborah (Rev. Raymond R.) Payne, Donna L. (Michael) Worley-Lyles, Lisa Worley, Jeanette (Jeff) Rice; stepdaughter, Patricia Moore; grandchildren, Arlene (Lanny) Payne-Wilson, Marvin Payne, Brandon Worley, Ashley Worley, Bryan Worley, Jeffery Rice, Jr., Jevon Rice; step-granddaughter, Patrice Moore; great-grandchildren, Keith Preston, London Wilson; step-great-granddaughter, Morgan Moore; brother Daniel (Betty) Worley; brother-in-law Larry Johnson, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.