Obituary

Reta Eldridge , passed quietly from earthly life and entered her eternal heavenly home on Friday, August 7, 2015 after a period of illness. A lifelong resident of Hanover, Maryland, Reta was born on October 23, 1936 to the late Mary Dailey.

After her mother passed Reta was raised by her maternal Aunt Gladys and Uncle Glasco Gaither. Religion was very important in their home and she began her Christian education at an early age at St. Mark United Methodist Church. Reta was a lifelong and faithful church member. Through her commitment, she served diligently on the Bertina Randall Gospel Choir and also as the treasurer until her health no longer permitted.

Reta attended Anne Arundel County Public Schools including Harman Elementary and Wiley H. Bates. She was employed at North Arundel Hospital for over 10 years, before she began working at the Fort Meade Officers Club where she worked for over 30 years until her retirement in 1995.

Reta was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, matriarch and friend. She knew her way around the kitchen and it showed because she enjoyed cooking for family and friends. She especially enjoyed preparing holiday meals and one highlight of the year was hosting the family's annual July fourth cookout. Her other interest included bowling, traveling, listening to gospel music, shopping,  playing bingo with her daughter, and talking with family and friends on the phone.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Dailey, husband Gilbert, Sr. and son Gilbert, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory: A devoted daughter, Rita Emerson (Victor); two loving sons, Rickey (Wanda) and Clyde (Velma); daughter-in law, Karen Eldridge; grandsons, Terrell (Syreeta), and Jamare; granddaughters, Keisha Willingham (Reesyce), Coratrina, LaTanya, LaTrese, Tramia and Jailyn; great grandsons, Terrell, Jr., and Elijah; great granddaughters, Jeturah, Jetaya, and Kalyn; sister, Helen Eldridge; brothers, Thomas, Robert (Gertrude), and Alphonso Dailey; adopted brothers, Louis and Herman Dailey; brothers in-law, John, Richard (Lorraine), Morris (Margaret), Coleman, and Donald Eldridge, and Samuel Blackstone; sisters- in-law, Catherine Matthews, Inez Thomas (Franklin), Violet Eldridge and Madeline Dailey; Godson, Daon Riley; adopted sons, Kevin Kosh and Chris Walker; adopted daughters, Etheleen Harris, Yolanda Randolph (Johnnie), Joyce Montgomery, and Tonya Johnson (Bill); special cousins, Jeanette Jones and Lorraine Eldridge; close friends Lillian Pearman and    Ardene Matthews; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A heart like thine, that lives for God-

would such a heart be given to me!

O Jesus, take me and all my gifts:

I'll find this heart alone in thee.

By Ebehard Arnold