Velda P. Pritchett

Velda Petre Pritchett, 71, of Beach Haven, East New Market, MD and Harrisonburg, Virginia, passed away on November 3, 2008 at the Chesapeake Woods Center in Cambridge. She was born in Maugansville, MD on October 3, 1937, and was a daughter of the late Silas and Beulah Eshleman Petre.

She attended school in Washington County and graduated from North Hagerstown High School and later graduated from Bridgewater College in Virginia with a BA in psychology and later obtained a Masters Degree from Salisbury University. Velda started her teaching career in Dorchester County, MD and later in Flint, Michigan and Harrisonburg, Virginia and retired from teaching in Dorchester County. After retirement, she continued working with her husband at Pritchett's Transportation and Pritchett's Motor Coach. She conducted many tours with the motor coach business but was often in the office managing the daily routine of the operations.

Velda held memberships in the National Star Route Mail Contractors Association and the MD/DE Mail Contractors serving as secretary on the state level. She belonged to the Maryland Motor Coach Association. She was a member of the Dorchester Retired Educators and a life member of NEA. Most of all, she enjoyed church work and was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cambridge. She was a member of the Gleaners Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women. She served on numerous committees in the church and held the position of chairman of the PPRC on two different occasions. She was also lay representative for her church to District Conference several years. Velda was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Church of the Brethren Youth Council and had been active in the Washington County 4-H. Velda was an avid reader and a lover of music. One reason for recently moving to Harrisonburg, VA was to enjoy the music and cultural activities of the Shenandoah Valley. She had been in failing health for several months when she passed away at the Chesapeake Woods Center on Monday.

Survivors include her husband of 49 years, W. Clifton Pritchett, one son Jeffrey D. Pritchett of Cambridge and one daughter Teresa G. Pritchett of Baltimore, MD, one sister Gail J. Petre of Cambridge, and many cousins.

A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 1:00 PM at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Maryland Avenue in Cambridge with the Rev. Sam Jones of Harrisonburg, VA, the Rev. Fred Bahr and the Rev. Paul Dieter. The family will receive friends one hour before the service on Saturday. Interment was held at Dorchester Memorial Park in Cambridge prior to the Service of Celebration. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Mr. Richard Hargis, 205 Maryland Avenue, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to one's favorite charity. Arrangements are being handled by the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.