Margaret (Patsy) Whitesell Chaney

Margaret Louise Merryman Whitesell Chaney (Patsy), beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, neighbor, teacher, principal, leader, volunteer and faithful congregant passed away on April 26th, 2026. With admiration for a life fully lived, we remember our mother as a self-proclaimed “lover of people, especially the children”: what a beautiful life that reflected perseverance, faith, friendship and service to others!

Born in Dixon, TN on January 4, 1934, to Josephine and Walter Merryman, she grew up in Fulton, KY alongside her three brothers Billy, Bobby and Jack Merryman. Cherished childhood days include visiting the Holland family farm, her Fulton City High School extra-curricular activities, some roller skating and her friends; all shaping her strong sense of family, resilience, and social connection to community.

As a young woman, she attended Stephen’s College in Columbia, Missouri. She married recent Naval Academy graduate Robert Daughtery Whitesell, also from Fulton KY. Due to the military lifestyle, they had five children in five different states! Robin was born in Annapolis, MD, Lillian at Camp Lejeune, NC, Martha at Camp Pendleton, CA, Betsy at Quantico, VA and Mary Margaret in Fulton, Ky. These moves also included being stationed in Colombia with two toddlers where she became an aficionado in speaking Spanish plus dancing salsa, rumba, samba and bachata. J The family returned to Fulton, KY when Lt. Col Whitesell was assigned to a Vietnam tour. Patsy worked as a church secretary while also involving herself in Girl Scouts, her church and the school PTA in Fulton. In 1975, however, she served as a kindergarten teaching assistant, beginning what would become a lifelong calling in education.

At age 42, she returned to college at University of Tennessee, Martin to study Elementary Education while working as a first-grade teaching assistant. After earning her BA, she became a third-grade teacher at Carr Elementary, soon pursuing an advanced degree. She earned a master’s degree with 30 additional graduate hours. Her dedication and leadership in education led her to serve as Assistant Principal at Carr Elementary School in Fulton, KY, followed by her becoming a principal in 1994 for East Calloway Elementary School in Murray, KY. Capping her career, she became a New Teacher Mentor for Murray State University. She compassionately invested herself in supporting students, encouraging parents, mentoring teachers, and strengthening school communities.

Also as a testament to her curiosity and drive, she led church and community boards and committees in Murray, she married again, joined PEO, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, doubled down on playing bridge, took up golf in her 50s, courageously moved to Roanoke, VA at age 87, in 2021 and started making friends before the boxes were all put away!

Throughout her life, determination and belief in the power of education to transform lives resounded. She leaves behind a legacy of service, faith, life-long learning and friendship that continues through students, colleagues, friends, and family members she has influenced. She is survived by children Robin (Leslie) Whitesell, Lillian (Bob) Lehman, Martha Young, Betsy Whitesell, Mary Margaret (Rick) Isbell , grandchildren Robby Whitesell, Hannah Young, Sarah Workman, Joseph Young, David Whitesell, Rebecca Copeland, Carter Lehman, Susannah Murry, Lillian Isbell, Merryn Isbell, Ruby Isbell and great grandchildren Evan Whitesell, Oliver Workman, Rosalie Workman, Shelby Copeland, Eliza Young and Jacob Copeland. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her former husband's Lt. Col. Robert Whitesell and Joe Chaney.

The family wishes to thank the faithful prayer partners who carried her daily, the friends who sent cards or pulled a chair up on good days and the faithful ones who stood as sentinels with us in the watch over her well-being during the more difficult days and hours. The family also wishes to thank Good Samaritan Hospice, Oakey’s Funeral Home South, Pastors George, Elizabeth and Ben of Second Presbyterian Church for never ending compassion and consistency, and each of you who brought food, love, help and hugs these last four months. Because of your support, we all arrive to this point triumphant that she is now at peace, no longer in pain and… hopefully dancing the salsa in heaven. 

A celebratory memorial service will be held on May 1, 2026, at 11am at Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Ave SW, 24014 in Roanoke, VA. In lieu of flowers, Patsy has asked that donations be sent to either The Trent Education Fund (its within her church at Second Presbyterian) or to Good Samaritan Hospice at 4751 Cove Rd, Roanoke, VA 24017.