Mrs. Cynthia Lou “Cindy” Smarr Wheatley, 64, of Tangier Island, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
Born in Baltimore on April 30, 1961, she was a daughter of the late Grover C. and Docia F. Pruitt Smarr. She was raised by her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Larry Parks, following the death of her mother at a young age. Her husband of 46 years, Freddie Lewis Wheatley Jr., preceded her in death earlier this year on April 30, 2025.
She was a high school graduate and attended Wor-Wic Community College to obtain her phlebotomist certification. She worked as a phlebotomist for over 20 years at the Riverside Tangier Medical Center. She adored her job and the people of the island she served.
Cindy cherished life and the life lessons learned with each day. She loved the outdoors, especially boating and progging with her friend, Carol. She enjoyed cooking, traveling — especially camping — and tending to her chickens, ducks, dogs, and cats. Above all, she adored her family and grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter, Jenny Dise and husband, Dan, of Tangier; her grandchildren, Alyssa McCready and husband, Isaiah, and their children, Evan and Roman McCready, of Woodland, N.C., Castella “Cassie” Dise, of Harrisonburg, and Daniel Dise, of Tangier; her sisters, Lisa Pusey, of Westover, and Rhonda Parks, Nicole Parks, and Ashley Parks, all of Salisbury; her brothers-in-law, Larry Parks, of Westover, Bryan “Spanky” King, of Tangier, and Matt Wheatley, of Princess Anne; her sister-in-law, Wanda Smarr, of Baltimore; and several nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Heather Wheatley Dise; her brother, Charles “Butch” Smarr; her sisters, Donna Parks and Patricia Ann Parks; her sister-in-law, Sandra King; and her brothers-in-law, Ernest Ed Parks and Gary Pusey.
A memorial service will be held at New Testament Church on Tangier Island on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. A time of sharing will be from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Speakers will be Elder Duane Crockett, Anna Parks, and Eugenia Pruitt.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Tangier Fire Department, P.O. Box 244, Tangier Island, VA 23440.
Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home.
To send condolences to the family, visit the funeral home website at www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com
