ELISE WHETSELL, also known as Elise Whetsell Domínguez, 81 years young, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, January, 19, 2016, after a courageous two-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Elise was born on July 15, 1934, in Harleyville, South Carolina, the only daughter of Lonnie Whetsell and Hattie Sweat Whetsell. She attended Harleyville High School and lived in the Charleston area until moving to Florida in 1966. Elise was preceded in death by her two older brothers, Samuel Whetsell, of Columbia, South Carolina; and Otis Whetsell, of North Charleston, South Carolina. Elise was a natural beauty whose quick wit and laughter took over the room. She was crowned Mrs. Charleston in 1964 and went on to be first runner up in the Mrs. South Carolina Pageant.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Harry W. Bennett, Sr., and had two children, Debra Lynn Bennett Jung (Kevin) of Weston, Florida; and Harry W. Bennett, Jr., of Apopka, Florida. In July of 1964, she graduated from Farrah Beauty School in Charleston, South Carolina, and enjoyed an illustrious career as a hair designer until her second marriage to the love of her life, José R. Domínguez, M.D., in 1967 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Together they moved the family to Ormond Beach, Florida, where her husband relocated his medical practice and she had her third child, Elyse Joley Domínguez Lozada (Manny) of Kissimmee, Florida. She retired from cosmetology to be a stay at home mom to her children. When her youngest daughter went to high school, Elise studied to become a licensed Certified Medical Assistant and joined her husband, José, in his medical practice. She is predeceased by her two husbands.
Elise was a young spirit and absolutely loved entertaining and being surrounded by her many friends. She was an active member for many years of the Halifax River Yacht Club, Daytona Beach, Florida; Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach, Florida; and The Citrus Club, Orlando, Florida. In her later life, Elise moved to Orlando, Florida, to be near her younger daughter, Joley. Known for her sense of style and fashion, she also loved traveling, cooking and gardening. She had a very special relationship with her “grand-dogs.” However, nothing made her happier than her four grandchildren who lovingly called her LaLa: Joseph Ryan Shirah of Scottsdale, Arizona; Sean Michael Bennett of New York City, New York; Brian Patrick Bennett of Jacksonville, Florida; and Lauren Mary-Hailan Jung of Weston, Florida. She also loved her nieces and nephews very much: Lewis Whetsell who preceded her in death; Barbara Whetsell Jarrett (Wayne); Kenny Whetsell (Debbie); and Pat Whetsell Fulmer (Al); as well as her grandnieces, Tiffany Whetsell Swain (William); Allison Whetsell; Ashton Jarrett and grandnephew, Zach Jarrett.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Elise on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741. Visitation will be at 1 p.m., with services at 1:30 p.m. Elise will be missed by all; a bright light has been dimmed forever.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have keep the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
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Elise Whetsell
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