Norma Rae McPherson Eley, 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Rae was born on December 26, 1930, in Camden County, NC. She was the daughter of Alida McPherson Burguess and Winfred McPherson, and the oldest of two sisters. Portia Lee Burgess and Phyllis Lane. Her middle sister Portia Lee passed away the day before Rae, on Saturday, September 14, 2024. In addition to her parents and sister, she was predeceased by her husband Walter Eley and stepfather Norman Burgess.
Rae had two children during her first marriage, Candis and Murray. When she and her family lived in Roanoke, Rapids, NC, she worked as the Registrar at Hallifax Community College.
in 1976 Rae moved to the Outer Banks. Her first job was working as a manager at a motel. She was later hired as a sales assistant at the Armada hotel, where she worked her way up to Director of Sales and Marketing and General Manager.
A trailblazer and strong advocate for women’s rights and education, she chartered the Virginia Dare Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPWC) on the Outer Banks in 1978. The aim of the organization is to advocate for women’s issues and equal rights for women. The club organized local programming to help women improve themselves academically and professionally. In 2020, Rae was recognized by the College of The Albemarle (COA) Foundation, with an endowed scholarship for over 40 years of service to the BPWC. The “Rae Eley Endowed Scholarship” provides tuition assistance for a female COA student, aged 25 or older, who resides in Dare, Currituck, Tyrrell, Hyde, Camden or Pasquotank County.
In 1985 Rae married the Love of her life, Walter Eley. During their 24 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling, hosting parties and working together on Walt’s business ventures. They were members of the United Methodist Church in Kitty Hawk and enjoyed membership at Duck Woods Country Club. Rae loved Walt very much and felt that their time together was much too short.
Rae served on the board of the Ocracoke Fishing Tournament and was a member of the women’s fishing team, the Fish Lips of Nags Head. Rae loved to dance! In the early 90’s, with no formal training in Tap dance, she joined the Wright Tappers. With her knack for creativity and flair, she was instrumental in designing and of many of the costumes for the award-winning dance team. During her tenure and travel with the Wright Tappers, they won over 15 Gold medals for first place at the Senior dance competitions. They would also perform at local businesses and senior centers. She danced with the Wright Tappers until she was 89 years old.
Rae spent her final days in her element; dancing and participating in activities during Vegas week, as a resident of Spring Arbor assisted living facility. The loss of her presence will be felt most by those left to mourn her absence; sister, Phyllis Lane of Shiloh, NC; daughter, Candis and husband Steve George of Nags Head; son, Murray
and wife Bernetta Castellow of Charlotte, NC; bonus daughter, Debby Castellow of Cleveland, TN; three grandchildren, Owen Heath (wife Tanya), Charles Castellow (wife Donica), and Andrew Castellow (wife Lauren); seven great grandchildren, RaeLeigh Castellow, Emme Castellow, Locleigh Castellow, Audie Castellow, Atticus Castellow, Mia Heath and Nico Heath; a host of extended family and dear friends.
A memorial Service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Kitty Hawk on Saturday, October 19th,at 2:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at Duck Woods Country Club at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial gifts be made to the Rae Eley Memorial Scholarship through the College of The Albemarle Foundation. Contributions can be made online at http://www.albemarle.edu/foundation or by mail to College of The Albemarle Foundation, PO Box 2327, Elizabeth City, NC 27906. *If contributing online, please select the Make a Gift tab to default to the General Fund. Designate the name of the scholarship (Rae Eley Memorial Scholarship) in the comments section.
Gallop Funeral Services Inc. is entrusted with arrangements. Please leave a message of comfort at gallopfuneralservices.com.
