Eunice Marine Wheatley, age 94, of Reliance, Delaware, passed away on Monday September 18th at the Manor House Retirement Community in Seaford.  Born August 29, 1923, she was the daughter of Edgar and Edna Marine Wheatley.

She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Hazel Wheatley, Iva Lord of Seaford, Delaware, Cora Parsons of Ocean City, Maryland;  nieces Linda Parsons and Kathy Lord, and nephew Dennis Gerraughty.   

She is survived by one sister, June Gerraughty of Bella Vista, Arkansas; nieces Susan Brindley and Barbara Parsons, nephews David Gerraughty, Andrew Gerraughty, Matthew Gerraughty, Samuel Gerraughty, Michael Parsons, and James Parsons, as well as many great-nieces and nephews. 

Eunice grew up on the family farm on State Line Road in Reliance.  She was educated in a 1-room school house thru 7th grade, and graduated from Seaford High Class of 1940.  In 1949 she graduated from the State Teachers College in Salisbury, which is currently known as Salisbury University.  After graduation, Eunice was a Delaware teacher for 36 years.  She began teaching in Selbyville, then transferred after 1 year to the Seaford School District, where she taught primarily 5th grade throughout her career.

Eunice was a dedicated lifelong member of Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Reliance, where she attended services regularly until she moved to Manor House in 2010.  She was an outgoing person of perpetually good spirit, upbeat demeanor, and fun sense of humor.  During WWII, she helped the cause by serving as an Aircraft Warning Service Observer.  Eunice was always ready to do extra to help a student, and she was a tireless volunteer for the church and other community causes.  She gave tremendously of herself over the years to help sick friends and family members, and was a great comfort to those whom she assisted in this way.  Socially, she enjoyed many years with her bowling league in Seaford, and also loved to travel in retirement, with her most memorable trip being to Australia, from which she brought back many stories and souvenirs for family and friends.

The family extends special thanks to the professional and caring staff at Manor House and VITAS Hospice Care.  Well done.

Funeral services will be held at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley Street in Seaford on Friday September 22nd at 1 PM, where friends may call from 12 to 1.  Interment will follow at the Cokesbury Cemetary, Cokesbury Road, Maryland.  A reception will be held at the Manor House in Seaford at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Eunice’s memory to the American Cancer Society.  Letters of condolence may be sent to the Cranston Funeral Home.

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