Mrs. Ethel Sarah Weatherly was born to William and Mary Chandler on July 15, 1942, in Accomack County. She departed this life on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.
Ethel was affectionately known as “Granny” or “Aunt Curly.” She attended Accomack County Public Schools. Curly loved her profession working in domestic service, always willing to help others and would provide food to anyone in need but kept it real and meant what she said. She enjoyed gardening, listening to her hymns, cooking, and watching her favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. She loved attending church and was a faithful, longtime member at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she served on the usher board. Her favorite scripture was John 14, and her favorite song was “Rough Side of the Mountain.”
She leaves to cherish her memories: her devoted husband, “Sweetie” Frank Weatherly; her three children, Rickie Sturgis (Rose), of Birdsnest, George Sturgis, of Exmore, and Demetria Sturgis (Shawn), of Exmore; 15 grandchildren: Sherry Tankard (Jody), of Exmore, Nikia Upshur, of Birdsnest, Clarence Tankard (Jessica), of Exmore, Kenny Upshur, of Birdsnest, Rickie Tankard, of Valdosta, Ga., Elvonia Cherry (David), of Norfolk, Patrick Tankard, of Parksley, George Jr., of Richmond, Kioakus Upshur, of Exmore, Mark Tankard (Jalissa), of Exmore, Terry Manuel (Demarcus), of Painter, Rikeesh Tankard (Sakeial), of Exmore, Tamika Cherry, of Mappsville, Brittany Tankard, of Exmore, and Shawn Fleming Jr., of Exmore; 37 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Turner (Johnny), of Pungoteague, and Elveyn Seymore (Lester), of Pungoteague; two brothers, Robert Sturgis (Linda) of Exmore, and David Chandler (Theresa), of Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Weatherly and Iris Weatherly, both of Exmore; one brother-in-law, Herbert Wilson, of Delaware; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and New Road family.
