Frederick "Fred" Westley Oakley, 91, of the Berea community near Oxford passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, following a long battle with heart and lung disease.

Much beloved by his family and friends, Fred was born in Person County, on July 5, 1934. He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Betty Welch Oakley of Berea; his daughters, Vicki Oakley Wilkinson of Oxford and Susan Oakley Fisher (Allen) of Raleigh; grandchildren Steven Robert Light (Ericka), Trevor Allen Fisher (Geena), Erik James Fisher, Lauren Victoria Wilkinson (Everett) and Joseph Oakley Fisher; and great grandchildren Isabelle Light, Sophie Light, Madeline Light and Beau Fisher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Frankie Oakley; his sisters, Gertrude Satterwhite and Lucille Adcock; his brother, O.C. Oakley; and his son-in-law, David Wilkinson.

A quiet, compassionate man, Fred never missed an opportunity to say "thank you" to anyone who was kind to him. He was happiest when he was eating Betty's cooking, watching NASCAR races and baseball games on TV, listening to Bluegrass music, and spending time with his family and friends.

Prior to his retirement in 2002, hard work was also a part of his daily routine. Following his graduation from Berea High School, Fred served for seven years in the Army National Guard as a radio telephone operator, rifleman and sharp shooter and earned the rank of corporal before his honorable discharge in 1960. While he spent most of his

professional life as a proud Granville County tobacco farmer, he also worked at Lee Dyeing Company in Butner, IMI Knits/Cristex Corporation in Oxford, and the correctional camp in Warren County as a prison guard.

A celebration of Fred's life will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Berea. Pastors William Wheeler and Tim Atkinson will officiate. Burial will follow in the church's cemetery. Prior to the service, visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Mt. Zion fellowship hall. Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.