Jimmie Lee Wiley passed away at her home in Oak Harbor on Dec. 2, 2005 at the age of 83. Jimmie was born in Pelahatchie, Miss., on Aug. 1, 1922 to Thomas and Lucille Bratcher. Jimmie was raised in Morton, Miss., and after graduation from high school, attended nursing school. She received her degree as a Registered Nurse from Baptist Nursing School in Jackson, Miss.

Jimmie enlisted in the U. S. Navy during World War II, serving in Corpus Christi, Texas. She left the Navy in 1946 as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. That same year, she was married to Carl T. Wiley, Jr. in El Paso, Texas. Carl was an officer in the U. S. Air Force and the Wiley family was stationed in Japan, Rapid City, S.D., El Paso and Waco, Texas, Lake Charles, La., and Topeka, Kansas where Carl retired.

Jimmie and Carl moved to Whidbey in 1965 and made Oak Harbor their home. Jimmie was a stay-at-home mom as her children were growing. Carl died in 1976 and Jimmie returned to work as a nurse. She was a pioneer in the Home Health field on Whidbey Island. She began her career with the Extended Services of Island County, developing the first home health services in Island County through Senior Services.

The home health program transferred to Home Health Services of Island County. Both programs operated with individual caregivers working from their own vehicles. In 1982, Whidbey General Hospital hired Jimmie and the other caregivers and Home Health became a hospital department. Jimmie remained with Whidbey General Hospital until her retirement in 1987. She was known as a loving caregiver by many, many patients.

Jimmie loved following her children and grandchildren as they participated in softball, soccer, baseball, swimming competition and concerts. She enjoyed playing bridge, crocheting, knitting and reading.

Jimmie is survived by two children: Susan Wiley-Poe and husband Rick of Camano Island and Carl Wiley III and wife Valerie of Oak Harbor, and one sister Imogene Rogers and husband Robert of Morton, Miss. Four grandchildren, Ryan Wiley and fiancé Robin Thoren of Tacoma; Eric Wiley of Port Angeles; Colby Wiley at the University of Washington and Katie Poe of Camano Island also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Carl T. Wiley, Jr. USAF (Ret) and one brother Tom Bratcher, Jr.

Funeral services for Jimmie Wiley were held Dec. 9 at Burley Funeral Chapel with Pastor Steve Morningstar of the First Baptist Church officiating. Graveside funeral services will follow on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Ore., with Pastor Bruce Rumsch of Trinity Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, Ore., officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.