Lily White Oatfield, age 97, wife, mother of five, psychologist and fundraiser extraordinaire passed away in the early morning hours of November 22nd at the home of her youngest daughter in Fletcher, NC.

A woman of indomitable spirit, fiercely independent and remarkably strong, Lily was born the 10th of 13 children to Haskel and Margaret Eva White in the mountains of West Virginia, where she rose from poverty to carve out a life of remarkable worth. After spending her teenage years in the home of her older sister in Washington DC, she met and later married her husband of 59 years, John Oatfield. She received her BA from Meredith College, raised her young brood and substitute taught at Cary High School in the early 60s. During these years she was also involved with both boy and girl scouts and with the newly formed Cary Swim Team. In her 40s, Lily went on to earn her PhD in psychology at NCSU, was director of the Western Wake Mental Health Clinic in Cary, NC and then went into private practice for 20 years.

In the mid 90s she and John moved to Panama City Beach, FL where they were instrumental in raising $1,000,000 for the enlargement of the Panama City Beach Senior Center, where Lily was President well into her 80s and the new building was named The Oatfield Center in their honor. In 2014 Lily moved to Asheville, NC, to live near her youngest daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren, briefly lived with her middle daughter in Chicago in 2020, and returned to Asheville in 2022.

Lily was predeceased by her parents, her husband John in 2005, her oldest son Bill Oatfield in 2014 and her youngest grandson Nicky Hashioka in 1995. She is survived by her children, Lisa Franklin (Ben), Jennifer Oatfield(Bob), Patty Prince, and Donald Oatfield; her grandchildren Heather Cabe (Dusty), Christin Prince Austin (Nick), Alex Hashioka (Carolyn), and Justin Prince; and her great grandchildren Kade Prince, Liam Austin and Annalise Austin.

Lily lived her life fully, with an ever present positive outlook on life, finding joy in her family, friends, work and community activities. Ever the supremely competitive player, she loved cards and playing games with her friends and family. Her last 2 years were spent at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living in Asheville where she was beautifully cared for and very much loved by residents and staff alike. Lily was a sweet, caring, generous mother, much loved by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and she will be sorely missed.

Mountain View Cremation & Funeral Care has the honor of serving the family.