Mary Ellen Stancil Whitetree 71 of 2061 Smith Road Newberry died Monday August 02 2010 at Providence Hospital in Columbia. Mrs. Whitetree was born in Walhalla SC a daughter of Kathleen Wright Stancil of North Charleston and the late James Luther Stancil. She was a devout Southern Baptist and had last attended Citadel Square Baptist Church in Charleston. She had enjoyed her involvement with the GAs Acteens and WMU. Mrs. Whitetree was also an avid reader enjoyed sewing and cross-stitching and was a devoted Richard Petty fan. In addition to her mother she is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law Richard Stephen and Denise Cates of Prosperity and J. David Cates of Allendale; three grandchildren Richard S. Cates II Katherine Cates and Madison Cates; three brothers Luther Stancil of Spartanburg and Jerry and Steve Stancil of North Charleston; maternal aunt Louise Cole of North Charleston and other aunts uncles nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. David Inman. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Mary Ellen Stancil Whitetree to Whitaker Funeral Home 1704 College St. Newberry SC 29108.