Love Estelle Mercer Whitfield

Love was born in Lowland, North Carolina, the fourth of nine siblings, to Jewell and Joella Mercer. She married Cecil Whitfield in 1952 and they shared 62 years of marriage before his passing in 2014.

Love was truly the epitome of her name. She exemplified it through the love and care of her family, extended family, and neighbors. She operated an in-home day care for over fifty years and loved each child as her own. Her legacy is the godly influence and positive impact she had upon countless individuals.

Love spent many hours in her vegetable and flower gardens and shared with others the bounty of her blessings. Cooking for her family and friends brought her great joy. Anyone was always welcome at her table. She enjoyed teaching others the things she knew, and to know her was to love her.

Love was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Cecil, and daughter, Kathy.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Whitfield Myers, and husband Mike, of New Bern; her son John M. Whitfield, of New Bern; her son Stephen P. Whitfield, of Goldsboro; her daughter, Susan Whitfield, of New Bern; her brother Bert Mercer, of Cape Carteret; her sisters, Blanchie Smith, of Panama City Beach, FL; and Sylvia Ross, of Lowland, NC. Left also to cherish her memory is her grandchildren, Jonathan Myers, of Savannah, GA; Mark Whitfield, of Raleigh, NC; Josh Whitfield and wife, McKenzie, of New Bern; Elizabeth Whitfield, of Wilmington, NC; Stephen Whitfield, of Raleigh, NC; and her great-grandson, Carson Kelly, of Wilmington, NC. Surviving Love, are also many beloved nieces and nephews.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Love Estelle Whitfield. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.cottenfuneralhome.com.