Obituary of John Whaley IV

John Whaley, IV, affectionately known as Baby John & Bubba, was born on September 29, 1965, to the late John Whaley Jr. & Sandra Cotton. He was educated in the Philadelphia & Atlantic County public school systems. During his high school years, he played football & competed in track & field events as a sprinter & hurdler. He ran the 4 x 400-meter races and 400 hurdles, breaking school records & winning many medals. He graduated in 1984 from Atlantic City High School. After graduating, he worked various jobs until he found his passion for helping others while working as a CNA at Shore Memorial Hospital. He took pride in his work and was an exceptional CNA. Because of his work ethic, he received tremendous encouragement to go to nursing school. With financial help from Shore Memorial, along with encouragement from co-workers and friends, John graduated from the Atlantic County Vocational School as an LPN in 1994. He worked full-time as an LPN for more than 20 years with Bayada Home Health Agency and more recently with Wright Choice Agency. In 1995, he reconnected with a nursing school classmate, Keisha Bennett, who later became the love of his life, his "Dreamgirl". John and Keisha were married in October 1996. Within their first eight years of marriage, they had six children. They enjoyed watching their children sing in the school and church choirs, play instruments in the school and church band, participate in PAL dance recitals, praise dance and perform in school dances, play basketball, wrestle, and attend their tournaments. His family meant the world to him. He enjoyed spending time with them, whether it was on a family vacation, a family outing, or relaxing at home. In addition to his immediate family, John had a special affection and love for his Whaley, Boyd, Brown, Garrett, Bennett , and Warwick family members. He looked forward to gathering with them at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day breakfast and family and friends barbeques. John also had a special love and connection to his church family. Upon joining Christ Care Unit Missionary Baptist Church (CCU) in 2003, John discovered another passion, singing. He joined the Mass, the Combined , and the Men of Praise choirs. He acted in various plays with the Drama Ministry along with his family. His family later inspired him to join the Praise Dance Ministry. Through CCU, John received his Bachelor degree in 2011 and his Master degree in 2014 in Theology from the North Carolina College of Theology. Another significant part of John's life was coaching. He became a football coach during their sons little league years. Later, he introduced his children to track and field to spend more time with all of them. With help, he founded the Mays Landing Express, now known as Atlantic County Track Club (ACTC). He became the head coach for the youth track & field team. While still coaching with ACTC, he joined the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) high school coaching staff. His specialty was training the sprinters and hurdlers. John loved & had a special relationship with all the coaches and athletes he worked with. He loved them and considered the athletes his children. John made time for coaching even with his busy schedule working full time. John transitioned from this life to his permanent home on April 27, 2022. John is predeceased by his father, John Whaley Jr., Stepdad "Pop" Willie Cotton, and younger brother, Charles Whaley. John leaves to treasure his memories, his wife of more than 25 years, Keisha Whaley, his mom, Sandra Cotton, and two "mama bear" mothers, Regina Whaley & Portia Deal. He also leaves his children, John V, Keisha, Joshua, Isaiah, Kivanna, Joslynn, and Brenda; his siblings: Christopher Boyd (Crystal), Vanessa Ewing (Maurice), Russell Whaley (Trenda), Tina Whaley, Hobson White, Sandra White, Cleveland Boyd, Shawn Whaley, Linda Whaley, Laura Easley, and a special sister cousin, Deanna Elizabeth Ashley. Additionally, he leaves Elder Clarence Eure (Elder Judith), Eric Eure (Kristen Terrell), Carol Hammond, Joe Hammond (Alyssia McCain), Melissa Francis (Cordel), Trina Ferguson (Lawrence), and Linda Tindale (Andrew). He also leaves aunts, uncles, a goddaughter, a godson, two grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family (friends). He will be missed beyond words and measure.