Arrie Mae Reece Wiley

Arrie Mae Reece Wiley, 84, of Gainesville, passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from injuries sustained in an accident at home.

Arrie Mae was passionate about many things but none more than her family. She loved her husband of 55 years, Johnnie, as well as her children and their families.

Throughout her lifetime, she was an active member of her church and particularly enjoyed teaching four-and-five-year-olds for over 25 years. Arrie Mae and Johnnie had a heart for missions, supporting local and international mission work. 

She loved cooking fruits and vegetables from their garden and especially enjoyed canning and sharing those Georgia-grown goodies with others. There was nothing she loved better than having her family and friends around the table. When you visited Arrie Mae, you could count on seeing her furry companions, Lucy, Sandy, and most recently, Mardi.

Arrie Mae and Johnnie were co-founders of J&J Foods. They were mentors to many of those who worked at the store and enjoyed reconnecting and learning about the careers and families of those from years past. Arrie Mae cherished and nurtured friendships with people of all ages; many claim her as their second mother or grandmother.

She was the daughter of Thomas Edward and Lola Mae Reece, and married to her high school sweetheart, Johnnie Wiley. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Darrell and Crevolyn Wiley (Gainesville, GA); daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and Scott Willis (Murfreesboro, TN); grandchildren, Emily Wiley (Gainesville, GA), Garrett and Lauren Wiley (Brookhaven, GA), Andrew Willis (Houston, TX), and Amy Beth Willis (Berkeley, CA).

Arrie Mae is survived by sisters, Martha O’Kelley (Gainesville, GA), Betty and Skip Hope (Gainesville, GA), Shirley Brewster (Dahlonega, GA), Deborah and Roger Riley (Gainesville, GA), and brother, Verlin and Lavonda Reece (Commerce, GA). She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Sandra and Richard Hulsey (Demorest, GA). In addition, she is survived by “bonus siblings” Ann Morgan (Woodstock, GA), Larry and Debbie Garner (Flowery Branch, GA), and Donna and Donnie Dixon (Gainesville, GA).

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, Thomas Edward and Lola Mae Reece, brother and sister-in-law, Junior and Shirley Reece, sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Russell Murphy, Barbara and Myron Harrison, and brothers-in-law, Gene O’Kelley and Calvin Brewster.

A celebration of life service will be held Friday, September 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Lakewood Baptist Church. The family will greet friends at the church after the service. A private family graveside service will be held at Hillside Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:

Helping Hands Foreign Missions (www.helpinghandsmissions.org) 5043 Bristol Industrial Way, Buford, GA 30518

Thumbs Up Mission (www.thumbsupmission.org) P.O. Box 2697, Gainesville, GA 30503.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.