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Shirley RHEA Obituary
She retired in April 2010 as a hairdresser from J.C. Penney's Beauty Salon, after 20 years of service.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Paul S. Rhea; her father, Reuben Dalton; and son-in-law, Michael Putman.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory three daughters, Sheila Clark and husband, Dave of Hampton, Paula Delph and husband, Eddy of Hampton, and Debra Walls and husband, Shane of Moncks Corner, South Carolina; grandchildren, Amanda Delph, Jennifer Delph and Benjamin Walls; her mother, Mary Dalton; sister, Jean Etheridge of Newport News; two brothers, Ronnie Dalton of Smithfield, Va., and Larry Dalton.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Shirley's life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of comfort with the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Shirley RHEA
Jean Etheridge
October 9, 2011
Shirley,
It will soon be a year since you have been gone, my heart just want seem to heal.I think of you everyday,when ever I go near to your house in my mind I think,(wonder if Shirley is home)or I pass by Pennys,(I'll catch my car turning in just to see her). Then my heart drops, she is not there.
Mom and I put fall flowers on yours and Pauls' graves last week, I still can't believe you are there.After Paul died you and I planned to do so many things we couldn't do because you had to take care of him, now all I can do is put flowers there for you.
I miss you,
Your sister,
Jean
Sheila Clark
October 7, 2011
Mom, IT has been close to a year since you have left us. I miss you so much and think of you constantly.You and dad stay on my mind, I love you both and am so proud to be your daughter.
Debra Walls
December 29, 2010
I'm sorry I didn't get to wish you a Merry Christmas or you and Dad a happy anniversary. But I'm sure you know it wasn't right without you. We did the best we could, but it still felt wrong. I hope you and Daddy enjoyed the holidays up there with the rest of our family that are in your company. You should have seen all the snow the day after Christmas. I love you and still miss you so much.
Debra Walls
December 2, 2010
Well, Mama, Happy Birthday. I'd give anything for you to be here with us celebrating it. But I'm sure Daddy, Granny, Dian, Michael and the Granddads are surrounding you on your special day. I will keep my promise, like we planned to do with Dad, and send your 'gift' in honor of you to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. We won't stop fighting until not one more person has to suffer as we have. I love you Mama and I miss you so much. Happy Birthday. Not an hour goes by during the day that I don't think of you and want more than anything for you to be here with me. XXXXOOOO
Sheila Clark
November 3, 2010
Mom, I think of you and cry for you every day. I miss my mom! Your daughter, Sheila
Danny Hayes
November 3, 2010
Sheila, Paula and Debra,
I am so sorry to hear of you mom's passing. She was a wonderful person, mom and grandmother. I always thought alot of your mom, she was always upbeat and happy. She loved you girls dearly. I will continue to keep you and your families in my thoughts and prayers and may God bless and comfort you.
October 31, 2010
Mom,I can`t beleive this happened to you.You were the best mom a daughter could ask for.After dad died, I wanted the best for you, going back to work, us shopping,lunches,dinners,taking a trip or two,just being out together doing things we couldn`t do in the past because of caring for dad.Now my life is turned up side down. I don`t know what to do now that you have gone too.A daughter always needs her mother. I hurt so bad inside,why you mom? If we only knew! I miss you so much mom and I LOVE YOU, Sheila
Paula Delph
October 31, 2010
My mom my friend.No words can describe the emptiness i feel.I promised you we would do this together all the to the end, and thats what we did.Together we did! By your side I was. You were always there for me, now I will have to call on you a different way. Momma you will always be in my heart and never forgotton. Truely missed with and empty place in my heart your loving daughter, Paula
Joanie Edwards
October 30, 2010
I am so very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I don't know if you know or not, but my father passed and was buried the day before your Mom's funeral. Becky Thompson told me at my Father's visitation. I was shocked and deeply saddened by the news. I can't even begin to imagine how painful it is to lose both parents so close together. STICK TOGETHER! It is the legacy your parents gave you. They were so proud of you girls and the love you had for one another. My very deepest sympathy to each of you. Love, Joanie
October 29, 2010
Shelia,Paula & Debra,
I dont know if you remember me but I used to be your babysitter. I was Debbie Barger then. You had the sweetest parents and I remember all of you so fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Debbie Boyden (Barger)
Naples, Florida
Vi Ross
October 29, 2010
Deepest sympathy to your family at this time. I enjoyed bowling with your Mom and Dad at Century Lanes. Take care and may God bless.
Kathy Yacconi
October 28, 2010
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I remember your family from bowling at Century Lanes. My prayers are with all of you. Just remember she is with our Lord our Savior and she is one of his Angles watching over you. May God Bless you.
Elizabeth Moore
October 28, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this hard time. I worked with Shirley at JCP for many years. She was a very sweet lady and will be missed. God Bless the family. (Beth)
Tiffany Sowers
October 28, 2010
I worked right next to Shirley for 4 years at the old JCPenney Salon. I always admired her love for her work, her family, her daughters and everyone around her. She was one great lady!!! And it breaks my heart that she is gone way too soon!!! Sometimes we don't understand but must carry on with the great memories with her. To Shirley's family and friends...I am so deeply sorry for your loss and I feel priveledged to have known her!!!
Joan Buchanan
October 28, 2010
Dear Paula, Sheila, Debra and Family:
My Mother and I are so sorry for the loss of your dear, sweet Mother and "Nana" Shirley Rhea. Mom and I had the great fortune of knowing Shirley for over 20 years, first as a wonderful stylist and then as a very dear friend. Your Mother loved her family so much and that, you must NEVER forget. Time does not heal all wounds, it just makes them bearable.
Please call if there is anything we can do for you in this time of sorrow.
Sincerely, Dot and Joan Buchanan
(757)591-5143
Bonnie Baker
October 28, 2010
Paula,
We are deeply saddened to learn of your Mom passing and would like to express to you our sincere sadness and sympathies to you and your family at this difficult time
Love Bonnie Eugene and Jacob Baker
October 28, 2010
Dear Sheila, Paula and Debra, I can't express how much I loved your Mother as a wonderful friend. We knew each other about 40 years and remained friends for forever. She did my hair and we had a lot of laughs since my hair did not take to permanents well and she would put one in one week and the next week, she would take it out. After I moved to Florida, I always went by Penneys to see her whenever I was in town. She was a wonderful Mother, wife, Grandmother and friend. She loved all of you so much. Ya'll and the grandchildren meant the world to her. I know that she is in heaven with God because she dealt with enough here on earth. But, she never lost that positive outlook on life that I so admired. Celebrate your Mom's life because she deserves to be celebrated. This is one time that I wish I still lived in Virginia and could be there for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers and please keep in touch. Love, Bill and Jean Smith
October 28, 2010
Dear Paula, Sheila , Debra,
Our thoughts and prayers to all of your family. We are so glad to have been able to work with Shirley over the years. She will truely be missed.
~ Angela Peters
~ Cristina Malara-Mohajerin
Jackie Guerette
October 28, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Jean Etheridge
October 28, 2010
Shelia, Paula,& Debra
There are no words to tell you what a wonderful person your mother was.She devoted her life to her family,even at the end she tryed to protect you. She didn't want you to know how bad her own health was while you greived for your dad.
I've lost my only sister,but I know she will be in heaven watching over me till it's my time to be with her and our dad again.
I'll miss you,
Jean
Amanda Delph
October 28, 2010
I feel so special to have known such an amazing person. Nana you were such an amazing grandmother. I was always so comforted just to be around you. You always had your arms wide open whenever I needed you. You always made me feel so proud to be your granddaughter when I came to visit you at the salon by how highly you spoke of me. You always gave yourself to everyone, and never asked for anything in return. You were such an amazing, STRONG woman, Nana, and I admire you so much for it. You taught me so much Nana, I promise, the top of the banana pudding will always be perfect! You left us far too early Nana. I already miss you so incredibly much. Everyone keeps telling me to remember the good times, but when I think about the good times, all I can think is that I won't be able to have anymore good times with you. I know you are once again with Granddad, and I know you're happy to be there with him. I will miss you both. I promise I will make you proud of me Nana. I love you, forever and always.
Renae Robbins
October 27, 2010
Debra, Sheila, and Paula,
I was a longtime customer of your mom's at JCPenney's. Shirley was a master at the art of styling hair. She styled not only my hair for at least 16 years, but my mom's hair even longer. She so enjoyed talking about you girls and was eager to show my mom and me pictures of Ben growing up. She dearly loved her family and her kitties.
My mom, Joyce Blasingame, and I will truly miss her kind heart and the joy she had in styling our hair so we would look pretty. She was so very special to us.
Love and many prayers, Renae Robbins
LaRaine Murray
October 27, 2010
There are no paltry words that can ease the pain of this loss. Aunt Shirley was one of my inspirations to become a stylist. Seeing how steadfast her love for Paul was has made me want to be a better wife. She was a wonderful woman and the world is less from her loss.
Ruth and Melvin Johnson
October 27, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ben and Nicole Cadman
October 27, 2010
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Debra Walls
October 27, 2010
Mama,
You were more than a Mom to me . . . you were my friend, my rock, my lifeline, my shoulder to cry on. We had so many plans. You weren't supposed to leave me like this, so soon. I don't know what I'm going to do now without you. It was hard enough accepting losing Dad, but this is beyond heartbreak. I hope you knew that me, Paula and Sheila were right there beside you. I will do everything I can to keep your memory alive with Ben. Dad took one half of my heart with me when he left and now you have taken the other, I'm empty. I miss you so much it hurts. I love you so much Mom and I always will. XXX OOO
Bridgette Kurian
October 27, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
October 27, 2010
Dear Sheila, Paula and Debra,
I am so sorry about your loss, Shirley was a special woman and she definitely had a love of family. She spoke highly of her girls as well as son-in-laws and there was nothing but pride when she spoke of her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all of us at the J. C. Penney Styling salon, her work family and just know we all care and are here for you all. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Warmest regards,
Debbie Smith
Mary Dalton
October 27, 2010
I have loved you since the day you were born, with your peach blonde hair and rosey cheeks, and I always will.
Love, Mama
Kelli Taylor
October 27, 2010
I am so sorry to hear about Shirley. I enjoyed the times we worked together and getting to know her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Lisa Peak
October 27, 2010
Miss Shirley was my buddy in the salon. It was an honor to have known and worked with a person as special as Shirley. I am really going to miss her.
Ann Galloway
October 27, 2010
I will always remember the way Shirley's eyes lit up when she spoke of her girls and grandchildren. A special lady who always put others first.
October 27, 2010
GOD SAW THE ROAD HAD GOTTEN ROUGH,AND THE HILLS WERE TOO HARD TO CLIMB SO HE GENTLY CLOSED HER WEARY EYES AND WHISPERED " PEACE BE THINE!"
Jeanie Troy
October 27, 2010
Very sorry for your loss. God Bless.
Lisa Smith
October 27, 2010
I am truly sorry to hear about Shirley. She was a wonderful lady. I will cherish our many conversations we had together. I enjoyed working with her at Jcp, she will be missed.
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