With full hearts and deep gratitude for a life so richly lived, we remember Myrtle “Alleen” Kemper Whitley — the center of a large and loving family, and a woman whose presence made everything feel a little warmer, a little steadier, and a lot more like home.
Born on January 6, 1932, in Covington, Virginia, she passed peacefully on April 14, 2026, at her home in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, at the age of 94, with loved ones by her side — exactly where she would have wanted to be.
She was the beloved daughter of John Henry Jackson Kemper and Clara Rebecca Jones, and stepdaughter of Eunice Spouse. She is survived by her brothers Ellis Kemper of Florida, John Kemper of Kentucky and Chuck Kemper of Maryland as well as her sister Gwen Rodenizer of Virginia.
Alleen grew up surrounded by a big, bustling family that shaped her lifelong love of togetherness. That love became her signature. Whether you were family, a friend, or someone she had just met, she had a way of making you feel like you belonged.
At just 16, she made the bold move to Washington, D.C., beginning a life built on determination and heart. Over the years, she worked many jobs — from a sub shop to Capitol Hill — but the role she carried with the most pride was the one that never came with a title: wife and mother.
She married Raymond S. Hunt, Jr. in 1949, and later Carlyle “Carl” Whitley in 1969. Though both preceded her in death, she carried their memories with her always. Together, they built a life centered on family — a legacy that continues to grow far beyond what she could have imagined.
Her greatest pride and deepest joy were her children who she loved in a way that was uniquely theirs: Kenneth Hunt of Fort Washington, MD; Gloria Coyle (James) of Hagerstown, MD; Michael Hunt who preceded her in death; Linda Fincham of Sneads Ferry, NC; Darlene Morris who preceded her in death; Donna Poznanski (Stephan) of Peyton, CO; and Dennis Whitley (Angela) of Colorado Springs, CO. But it didn’t stop there — her love only multiplied with the birth of each grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchild. With 19 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren, her family tree is less a tree and more a forest — one rooted deeply in her strength and care.
If you walked into her home, you knew you were in the right place. The TV might be playing a game show, a country gospel song might be softly filling the room, or she might be sitting with a coloring book or a romance novel in hand. She loved ceramics, bowling, dancing, and any excuse to gather people together. Holidays at her house weren’t just events — they were traditions filled with food, laughter, and stories that seemed to grow better with every telling.
She had a special love for the simple joys — watching birds out her window and sitting surrounded by the people she loved most. Those quiet moments meant just as much to her as the big celebrations.
To know Alleen was to know comfort. She was the one you called when life got hard, the one who reminded you where you came from, and the one who never let anyone feel alone for long. She didn’t need grand gestures to show her love — it was in her cooking, her laughter, her stories, and the way she welcomed everyone with open arms. More than anything, Alleen will be remembered for the way she loved – fully, fiercely and without condition. She was the one who brought everyone together and whose presence made life brighter. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit will live on in every shared meal, every family gathering and every story told in her memory.
She is survived by her children, siblings, and the many generations who will carry her memory forward. She was preceded in death by several loved ones and we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with them.
Alleen’s life wasn’t measured in years — it was measured in the people she loved, the lives she touched, and the memories she created. Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure and her love a gift that will remain with us always. She was the heart of the family — and she always will be.
Family and friends are invited to honor her life at Brinsfield Funeral Home in Charlotte Hall, MD. Viewings will be held on Monday, April 27 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm with prayers at 7:00 pm and on Tuesday, April 28th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. A Funeral Service will follow at the funeral home. Internment will take place at Cheltenham National Cemetery at a later date. Friends and family are encouraged to join the family at the Moose Lodge in Waldorf, MD for food and refreshments.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., Charlotte Hall, Maryland.
