Eunice (Beal) Hassel

Charlotte, North Carolina

November 08, 1936 - August 30, 2023

Eunice Beal Hassel, 86, passed away peacefully the morning of August 30th in Charlotte NC, where she lived for the last 7 years. She was born at home on November 8th, 1936, in Enfield, NC to William Foy Beal and Mary Capps Beal.

Eunice grew up in Nashville NC and attended Meredith College in Raleigh NC where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She first taught school in Goldsboro NC where she met and married her first husband Tom David Eilers. They moved to Raleigh where Eunice taught first grade and kindergarten and raised her 3 children. In Raleigh, she lived next to her brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Dora Beal and their 4 children.

Eunice was a beloved kindergarten teacher, one year winning the WRAL TV Teacher of the Year Award. She was an active member of her church, White Memorial Presbyterian, where she served as the first female Elder as well as a Deacon. She was instrumental in starting their DWS Sunday School class. When Eunice wasn’t performing her duties as an uber driver for her kids and attending their various activities, she loved her bridge groups and her walking friends. Eunice was also blessed to make lifelong friends in her teaching community, one they called the “DILLIGAS” girls. Eunice had an infectious personality, creating friends and acquaintances wherever she went. She also collected nicknames along the way from her family such as Pig, Sissy, Aunt Noonice, Punie, Ugly, Cute Mom, Cray-Cray and her favorite Mema. When Eunice wasn’t surrounded by students, friends or family, she loved her crossword puzzles and poems she wrote to her friends and family for any and all occasions.

Eunice met Thomas Charles Hassel at her college roommate’s daughter’s wedding, and they were married January 15th, 1994, and they moved to the Outer Banks with a 2nd home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  After a few years, they decided Florida was too far away from their grandchildren and bought a 2nd home in Pinehurst. Tom and Eunice loved to travel with Eunice’s brother, Billy, and sister-in-law, Dora. They also loved making the rounds to see their 5 children and 13 grandchildren in NC and NJ. Eunice enjoyed hosting parties and having friends and family nearby. As a widow, Eunice moved to Charlotte to be closer to family. There she gained a wonderful friend “sister” in her caretaker Terry Booker. Eunice suffered 5 strokes and other health challenges but what remained constant was her sense of humor, positive attitude and tender loving heart.

Eunice is survived by her stepson Tommy Hassel II (Jayne), stepdaughter, Nancy Heil (Mark), her son Tom David Eilers Jr., her daughter Lissa Eilers Johnsen, her daughter, Mary Barton Ross (Andrew), grandchildren, Tommy Hassel Jr., Morgan Hassel Boylan, Hannah Heil-Brandon, Aubrei Heil, Ashley Eilers, Georgia Eilers, Bjørn Johnsen, Erik Johnsen, Alek Johnsen, Michayla Ross, Drew Ross, and Braden Ross.

She is also survived by extended family, Mary Alice Hale, Frank Beal (Kristine), Caroline Beal, Alice Georgia (Jim), Katherine Beal Frazier (Charles), W. Foy Beal III (Terry), Anne Hare (Wes), and Lyn McGurrin-Reed (Tim), their families and many lifelong friends.

Eunice was proceeded in death by her parents, William Foy Beal, her mother Mary Capps Beal, her brother Jesse Beal, her brother William Foy Beal, Jr. (Dora), her nephew Charles Marc Beal, her great nephew William Foy Beal, IV, and her grandson Mark Heil.

A Memorial Service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh on Friday September 29th at 4:00pm.  In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of Charlotte made out to VIA Health Partners, 7845 Little Ave., Charlotte, NC 28266 or online at https://www.viagiving.org/donating

Please join us after the service to celebrate Eunice at Lissa’s house. 1319 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.

The Hassel Family have entrusted arrangements to Cremation Society of Charlotte.

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