Eunice Russell Whitehurst

On March 8th, 2020 Angels descended from Heaven and lifted the soul of our dearly, beloved Eunice R. Whitehurst from Centra Specialty Hispital in Lynchburg, VA.  Eunice was one of God's gifts to the late Frank Spencer Russell and the late Maude Lincoln Langhorne Russell on June 16, 1926 in Cumberland, VA.  Kathleen R Scott is the only surviving sibling of 6.  Eunice was educated in the public schools of Cumberland County.  She completed elementary, Jr and Sr High school there.  She was a very serious student and completed these schools with honors.  She attended St. Paul's College and graduated in 1947.  Her major was elementary education.  Eunice was dedicated to the Lord beginning at an early age.  She attended Sunday School regularly.  She was also a very good student and began to play the piano.  She began playing for Sunday School.  Later,  she played for church and was still playing at the age of 93.  She is survived by: Her husband William H Whitehurst Jr, 2 daughers Laanja McLendon Gough (William) and Lavonne McLendon; sister Kathleen R Scott; 2 granddaughters, Aliana Hite Taliaferro (Carlos) and Hillary Hite: one great-grandson, Jayce Hite-Nixon;4 step-children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is proceeded by death her siblings James Russell, Spencer Russel, Inez R Smith and Lena R. and by her parents.She married James Walter McLendon on October 13, 1950.  From this union 2 daughters, Laanja and Lavonne were born.  The family lived in Farmville, VA., expect the 6 were closed here in Prince Edward County.  The family traveled a lot, enjoying many highlights in the South as well as the North.  They experienced   They experienced many of the inconveniences of Jim Crow segregated facilities in the South.  After the passing of her husband, James McLendon, at a chance meeting during a homecoming football game at St Paul's College, Eunice ran into Bill from which a new relationship began.  Their relationship eventually led to marriage and has continued for 35 years.  Their inital relationship began in 1943-1949,part of which was interrupted by WWII.  Upon graduation from college, Eunice began teaching Elemtary education in schools.  First teaching in Cumberland County, then Prince Edward County and when those schools ere closed for 6 years she taught in Front Royal VA.  When the schools reopened she returned and retired from Prince Edward County Schools after over 40 years of teaching.  She was revered by most of her students, even after she retired.

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