Nell W. Jacumin

Nell Whitley Jacumin, 91, of Oakboro, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Nell was born July 31, 1934, in Stanly County to the late Richard Rudolphus Whitley and the late Eva Eunice Smith Whitley. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, William Lawrence Jacumin, Jr.; daughter, Karen Elizabeth Jacumin Carpenter; brothers, Craig Whitley, Crowell Whitley, Lee Whitley, John Whitley, Roy Whitley, and Reece Whitley; sisters, Sunie Odessa Whitley, Myrtle Whitley Hamilton, Wilma Whitley Efird and Gatha Whitley Hartsell.

She led her family with a steady hand and an unshakable spirit, the one who made things happen, who held everyone together, and who showed what true dedication looks like. Through her example, she raised daughters who learned to stand on their own, to be strong, independent women who carry her strength within them. As the youngest of 11 siblings, she was the first daughter to graduate college. She graduated from Kings Business College of Charlotte with an Associate of Medical Assisting. She met her loving husband during a dance held at the American Legion Hut in Valdese, NC, and married six months later. They enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach and Dollywood. She worked for Miller Orthopedic/OrthoCarolina for 50 years as a medical secretary. Nell was an avid prayer warrior and faithful member of Barbee's Grove Baptist Church, Oakboro. She was also a member of the church choir and always loved listening to Gospel music. After her second retirement, she enjoyed caring for her precious grandbabies and taking them everywhere from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Most of all, she was a wonderful mom, Maw-Maw, and aunt.

Survivors include daughter, Kathryn Jacumin (Robert) High of Norwood; daughter, Lisa (Terry) Kendall of Indian Trail; son-in-law, Ricky (Tracie) Carpenter; grandchildren, Nicholas Carpenter, Kiersten (David) Goins, Nathan, Madelyn and Meghan Sedberry, Alyssa Boone and William High; great-grandchildren, Tripp and Toby Goins; and beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm, Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Barbee's Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 pm, officiated by Rev. Ed Lowder. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Barbee's Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 679, Oakboro, NC 28129 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org).

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Jacumin family.