Eunice Henderson Whitley

The Life and Legacy
Eunice Henderson Whitley born July 28th, 1954, to Maxie Lee Henderson and Lillie Mae Brannon of Opp, AL began her career in the late 70's as a daycare teacher with Coretta Scott King in Stamford, CT under the direction of the Childcare Learning Ctr along with a short stint in-house at a daycare where she lived for many years on Spruce Street. At the time, she had two children, Soccus Henderson and Jacqueline Henderson aka (Sockie & Jackie) and migrated up north to be with her older sister Mary in pursuit of better opportunities. Shortly after her arrival in CT, she met Raymond Lee Whitley aka "Tony" who would become her husband after a short courtship. They would soon have a son thereafter by the name of Erik, followed by a daughter by the name of Takara and Eunice would spend the next 10 years or so working in daycare before transitioning to the Stamford Public School System where she served as a Special Education Paraprofessional with Roxbury Elementary, Rogers Elementary followed by Toquam Elementary.
Toquam would prove to be most notable in terms of her career for it is there where she would receive the coveted Employee of the Month Award in May of 1998 to which she was most proud. Receiving this award included a Proclamation from then Mayor Dan Malloy along with a warm reception from her peers. This was one of many proud moments in her life and it would set the tone for continued pursuits in education along with the grassroots affordable housing movement within her community. To know Eunice is to understand her insatiable need to make a difference. Always there to lend a helping hand which would eventually spark the creation of her nonprofit entitled Blessed Hand Ministries.
As a warrior for change, she remained steadfast in her resolve as her commitment to service was unwavering and as a result Blessed Hand Ministries was born. In fact, it became the focal point of her movement during the latter years of her life after falling ill and deciding to retire early and while some would have found it difficult to pursue, not Eunice! Even in her darkest moments she found a reason to press on. Her bed became her place of refuge, for it is there where the many prayers and gatherings would take place, (i.e., the countless back to school drives, Christmas toys etc.) and when it was time to receive a word from the Lord, she would tell you, "No time right now, I'm in my quiet place".
As we lay her to rest, please don't weep, for her name was written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and if anyone made it in, I'm confident Mrs. Eunice Whitley, West Side Warrior, Founder of Blessed Hand Ministries, Mother to All did!!!! Wearing her black shades and praising the Lord as she entered into his presence.
Eunice is preceded in death by her husband Raymond Lee Whitley, her parents, a son; Erik Whitley, siblings; Clemmie Henderson, Jahova Brannon and Myra Brannon.
Eunice is survived by her children; Soccus Henderson (Tomika), Jacqueline Henderson (Paul) and Takara Whitley. Her siblings; Roy Bell, Mary Brown, Lester Brannon (Janice) and Ray Brannon. Her grandchildren; Soccus Henderson Jr., Dontres Henderson (Destiny), Cass Miller, Akai Jackson, Trey Whitaker, Jayden Henderson Jackson and Jaylen Henderson Jackson. Great-Grandchildren; Soccus Henderson III, Skylie Henderson, Cole Henderson, Ayanna Henderson and Alaia Henderson. Her dearest friends; Rose, Joyce and Kathy. Along with a host of family and friends to cherish her memory.
A memorial service will be held on Friday August 16, 2024 at 11:00AM at Wilson Memorial Church of God in Christ, 164 Richmond Hill Ave., Stamford, CT.
Inurnment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, 41 Hecker Ave., Darien, CT
Repass will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 12:00PM - 6:00PM at Kosciuszko Park aka: Dyke Lane, 200 Elmcroft Rd., Stamford, CT.