Ila Vee Nealey Penny: Whiteville

1941 – 2025

     Ila Vee Nealey Penny of Whiteville died Tuesday, March 4, in NorthChase Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington. She was 83.

     Born June 2, 1941 in Columbus County, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Shula Carteret Nealey and the widow of Woodrow Franklin “Jack” Penny.

     She was a member of Beaverdam Original Free Will Baptist Church. She was also the Register of Deeds for Columbus County for 38 years.

     She is survived by two daughters, Vanessa Penny Stanley (Henry) of Southport and Valerie Penny Tarte of Wilmington; five grandchildren, Caleb Stanley of Durham, Elias Stanley (Celie) of Wake Forest, Isaac Stanley of Southport, Masen Tarte of Raleigh, and Nealey Tarte of Chapel Hill.

     In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry Duncan and Jackie Nealey; and two sisters, Agnes McPherson and Sarah Blackwell.

     Visitation was planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in Inman Ward Funeral Home.

     Funeral services were planned for 11 a.m. Friday, March 7, in the Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel, burial following in McPherson Cemetery, Chadbourn.

     Sign a guest register here.