Ms. Pauline Fay Byrd Whitman, age 80 of Sanford, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, NC

Pauline Whitman was born on October 16, 1942, in Sanford, NC to Paul Byrd & Sally Holman.  In her younger days Pauline loved to dance and waterski.  She met James McAuthor Cockrell, married had two children. Divorced and married Richard Whitman.  She furthered her career and became a CPA Accountant.  But through it all Pauline loved her family and her grandchildren, standing by their side through every good or bad time that was made, she was there.

My Mother, such a wonderful dear loving person, the strongest person I know kept this family together.  She touched so many hearts of all those around her.  She will be deeply and truly missed.  “Love You Moma.”  In the early 1960s and 70’s she was a reporter for the Sanford Herald.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Fran Zupkus (Ray), Margaret Phillips (Willie), Linda Dollar (Ernest), and brother, Freddie.

She is survived by her daughters, Julie Ann McLeod (Paul) and Pamela Cockrell; grandchildren:  Brandon McLeod (Heather), Kyle McLeod, Marissa McLeod (Daquan), Cheyanne Chavis, great-grandchildren: Tristan Whetsell, Dayton McLeod, and Adayla Kirk.

To My Family and Friends

Smile Because I Live

You can shed tears that I am gone,  or you can smile because I lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that I will come back

or you can open your eyes and see all that I have left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see me.

Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember me and only that I am gone

Or you can cherish my memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn back,

Or you can do what I would want, smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.

I will leave with you all my memories. I will be with you always.

For as long as you wish to remember me.

Know each and every one of you that I have loved dearly.

From the time of your beginning – until the end of mine.

Rest In Peace

Arrangements entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford.