Jeanne Moye Whitford passed away surrounded by the love of her family on November 5, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jeanne was born on March 19, 1939 in Greenville, N.C., the daughter of James Howard Moye and Mamie Lancaster Moye. She was a true daughter of eastern North Carolina. Anyone who spoke with her was treated to her beautiful southern accent and trademark giggle. Jeanne had a gift for chit-chat and never met a stranger. 

She met her husband, Howard Norman Whitford, Jr., when they were in college and they enjoyed more than 60 years of marriage. After their marriage in 1961, she accompanied Howard to Texas and Germany while he was in the Army. She taught elementary school in Texas and GED classes for enlisted soldiers in Germany. She also was determined to become conversant in the German language, but her southern accent was a bit perplexing for the Germans. 

After three years in Germany, Jeanne and Howard made their home in various parts of North Carolina, living in High Point, N.C. for 25 years. It was in High Point that she served on the boards of the High Point Arts Council, High Point Public Library, High Point Theater Gallery, and High Point Literary League. She also volunteered with the Salvation Army and tutored students at High Point Central High School. High Point was where she raised her children, Elaine and John, and was an active cheerleader for them as they grew up.

Almost 20 years ago, Jeanne and Howard moved to Savannah, Ga. after his retirement. Always the extrovert, she quickly built friendships and became active with the Telfair Art Galleries and the Savannah Symphony. It was in Savannah that she took her keen understanding of the game of Bridge to a new level, achieving the rank of Silver Life Master. She was a member of the Savannah Duplicate Bridge Club but also was a fixture at bridge tables in Morehead City, N.C. and the Coral Bay Club.

Regardless of where she lived, Jeanne’s love of coastal Carolina never waned. She loved her spot in Pine Knoll Shores where for 40 years she had the perfect view of the Bogue Sound and the best sunsets of any place on earth. She spent hours enjoying chats with her beach friends, many of whom she had grown up with, as well as the birds and squirrels that stopped by to visit her while she was perched on her porch.

Jeanne graduated from St. Mary’s Junior College in Raleigh, N.C. and East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. She is survived by her husband, Howard, and her children, Elaine Moye Whitford and John Howard Whitford (Ashlyn), both of Raleigh, N.C., and three grandchildren, Emma Riley Whitford, John Cole Whitford, and Lucy Moye Whitford. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Martha Lee Moye.

A celebration of Jeanne’s life will be held at a future time. In lieu of flowers, Jeanne asked that her friends make a donation to the cause of their choice.