Bessie Carolee Wheatley Hastings, 85

SEAFORD - Bessie Carolee Wheatley Hastings, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2008, in the Methodist Manor Home in Seaford. She was 85. She went home to be with her husband of 50 years and many family members and friends. She was born one of six children to Arthur Sidney and Lida Hickman Wheatley, Sept. 26, 1922. Her early years were spent in Bridgeville, where her father was mayor. During the Great Depression she and her family moved to Bishops Head, Md. to live with her paternal grandmother, Amanda Fitzallen. During World War II she moved to the Seaford-Laurel area, worked for the Dupont Company, where she met and married Clyde T. Hastings Sr. They made their home in Delmar, and later moved to Seaford, where they raised their three children. She was a wonderful homemaker, great cook and a meticulous housekeeper. Above all, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a great friend to many. She treasured the time spent with family and loved spinning yarns about life and her early years. Bessie was funloving and never met a stranger. She especially loved to go dancing with Clyde. In the 50's, she worked as a secretary in Mannings Drug Store, in the 60's, for the wonderful Monoco's family restaurant and later retired from Safeway in the 80's. In retirement she was a hostess at McDonald's and Arby's greeting everyone with her warm engaging smile. Later she and Clyde started a morning coffee group at both places. They could be found Wednesday mornings with their retired friends laughing, reminiscing and talking about local and national news. At that time they also planned many road trips and the infamous cookie exchanges. She was a member of the VFW, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Woodland Methodist Church. In her later years, she absolutely adored being a Red Hat Lady and attending all their functions. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde T. Hastings Sr.; brothers, Warren and Donald Wheatley; sisters, Elsie Parker and Ruth Anne Wooten; and daughter- in-law, Jeanine Hastings. She is survived by her brother, Calvin Wheatley and wife Ruth; daughter, Patricia Jones and husband Bud; sons, Clyde T. Hastings Jr., and Chuck Hastings and wife Trina; grandchildren, Amy McGee and her husband David, Brent Hastings and his wife Rebecca, April Myer and her husband Brent, Ryan, Seth and Colby Hastings; great-grandchildren, J.D., Aaron, Molly and Abigail McGee, Jibrael, Rahilah, Ali and Jaseena Garfield; and many nieces and nephews. Bessie will be dearly missed by family and all who knew her. She was truly an angel and a child of the Lord. We know she is looking down on us with that wonderful warm smile dancing with Clyde, laughing and rejoicing with family members and friends. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful and caring personnel at the Methodist Manor Home and Delaware Hospice. Her life was celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday at Woodland United Methodist Church, 5125 Woodland Church Road, Woodland. Burial was 11 a.m. Monday at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Woodland United Methodist Church, 5125 Woodland Church Road, Seaford, DE 19973 or Delaware Hospice Inc, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Arrangements by the Cranston Funeral Home, Seaford.