Sarah Reel

Evelyn Eley Reel CHESAPEAKE - Sarah Evelyn Whisnant Eley Reel, 84, passed away June 29, 2008, in Knoxville, Tenn. Born March 2, 1924, in Campabella, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Iassac Elcanna and Emma Johnson Whisnant. She was predeceased by her first husband, Doug Eley as well as her second husband, Jim Reel. Evelyn was a graduate of Leakesville High School in Leakesville, N.C., and Flora McDonald College in Red Springs, N.C. She retired in 1992 after 42 years of employment with Chesapeake Public Schools where she was a teacher, an elementary supervisor and a speech therapist. Evelyn was a member of the Women's Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Chesapeake, was voted Woman of the Year in 1992, and was selected as First Citizen of Chesapeake in 1993. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Tidewater Mental Health Board, past president of the Pilot Club and a member and former chairman of Chesapeake General Hospital Auxiliary where she volunteered at the gift shop. Evelyn was a charter member of Great Bridge Presbyterian Church. She was also a founding member of the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterway Foundation. Evelyn was a bridge player without equal. Survivors include her children, Kirk Edward Eley and wife Andrea of Knoxville, Tenn., Kent Eley and wife Barclay of South Riding, Va.; one granddaughter, Ava Grace Eley; and one brother, Iassac Edward Whisnant and wife Fae; one niece, Sarah Whisnant; and a nephew, William Whisnant, all of Palmetto, Fla. A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday in Great Bridge Presbyterian Church, 333 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. The Rev. Ralph Herbert will officiate. Interment will follow in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. The viewing will begin today with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Great Bridge Presbyterian, 333 Cedar Road Chesapeake, VA 23322

Published in The Virginian Pilot on 7/2/2008