Wilma "Cheetie" Eleazer Halford

Wilma Eleazer Halford, lovingly known as “Cheetie,” passed away on May 1, 2026, at the age of 98. She was born on December 13, 1927, in Springfield, Georgia, to Lona Stone Eleazer and Robert B. Eleazer, Sr.

“Cheetie", the nickname given to her by her older brother Bob, lived a life defined by service, adventure, resilience, and devotion to family and community. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and English from the University of Georgia in 1947, followed by a Master of Education in Speech Pathology from Emory University in 1950.

In her early years,“Cheetie” enjoyed working as a head counselor and archery instructor at Fire Place Lodge in East Hampton, New York, and as a counselor at Camp Burnt Gin in South Carolina. As the daughter of an Army Major, she traveled widely, including an extended stay in Japan during the Korean War, as well as visits to Hawaii before statehood and Mexico.

On her flight to Japan during the Korean War,“Cheetie” unbeknownst sat next to a gentleman who was the second Vice President of India later to become the President of India. After a brief conversation with a steward who informed “Cheetie” who was napping next to her, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, woke up only to humorously recount the conversation he had overheard. This encounter later led her missionary sister and brother-in-law, Miriam and Carl, to visit then President of India at the Taj Mahal.

As a Speech Pathologist her passion for helping others became the foundation of a long and impactful career. She was a master of teaching children to speak, read, and to overcome speech impediments. In a time where medical professionals did not believe Down Syndrome and children with cognitive disabilities couldn’t learn to read, write, and be productive, “Cheetie” proved them wrong.

She began teaching in 1948 and went on to serve in schools across Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. As a speech pathologist, “Cheetie” worked with Fulton County Schools, Orangeburg City Schools, and Houston City Schools, among others. From 1968 to 1972, she established the Speech Therapy Program in twelve schools within Richland School District One. She later continued her work with Lexington-Richland School District Five until her retirement in 1991 from Seven Oaks Elementary School, when she chose to care for her husband, Raymond, during his battle with pancreatic cancer. In addition to her school work, she provided private speech therapy from her home and mentored many students entering the field.

She was married to Raymond G. Halford for 31 years until his passing in 1992. Together they raised two children, Anne Lindsey Halford Burley and Richard Gaines Halford. A woman of deep faith, “Cheetie” was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, on Altar Guild, and participated in the Daughters of the Holy Cross. “Cheetie” had a green thumb never giving up on growing vegetables in a shady backyard or feeding squirrels to keep them off the plants. Cheetie loved photography using her range-finder Zeis Camera until she was gifted a digital camera

During the years after the death of her husband, Raymond, “Cheetie” enjoyed the friendships she made at the Shepherd’s Center and traveling the world with her sister, Miriam, and brother-in-law, Carl. Exploring Greece, Turkey, Italy, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia collecting a patch for her cherished travel vest along with many hysterical stories of the antics she and her sister, Miriam, either accidentally or on purpose got into. From Turkish baths to getting separated in Tuk-Tuks in Vietnam where they did not know the language or how to return to the hotel.

After a two year courtship with her college sweetheart, Dr. Goodwin Tuck, fondly known as “Tuck”, they married in 2002 and lived in Covington, GA for sixteen years. “Cheetie “ was welcomed into her new family. Tuck’s daughters Carey, Lisa, and Janice doted on Tuck and “Cheetie” spoiling them with Georgia Football games in Athens, holiday get-togethers at The Farm, and countless visits. The college sweethearts traveled to New England and the Caribbean. “Cheetie” continued to garden, make friends, and enjoy the slower pace of life in Covington. In 2018 after the death of Tuck, “Cheetie” returned to Columbia, SC.

In 2012 the greatest gift came to her in 2012, Claudia Elizabeth Halford, her only grandchild whom she loved dearly.

“Cheetie” lived independently at Still Hopes until 2023 where she enjoyed taking many photos of the glorious sunsets from her balcony which also served as her garden where she revitalized and cared for orphaned plants and those given to her. For eight years she was cared for with great compassion by Marie Wilson, her constant companion and caregiver. “Cheetie” called her best friend. In these last years Marie was there to tuck “Cheetie” in at night. “Cheetie” wanted to live to be 100 years old. 98 years is truly remarkable. Her quick wit and comebacks kept her doctors, nurses, family, caregivers laughing and loving one strong lady.

Known affectionately by her son as a “tough old bird,” she demonstrated remarkable strength throughout her life. In the last years “Cheetie” had survived the broken bones, kidney surgery, COVID epidemic, Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, a stroke, and a broken hip never losing her keen sense of humor. At Still Hopes “Cheetie” enjoyed playing pool which garnered her pool shark name of “Carolina Slim”. Art shows, therapy dog visits, musical events, strolling the gardens, feeding the turtles and fish were some of her favorite pastimes. After dinner every night she enjoyed a cup of ice cream.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond G. Halford; husband, Dr. Goodwin Tuck; her brother, Dr. Robert B. Eleazer, Jr., sister-in-law Nancy Eleazer; her niece Karen Eleazer Espinosa; her nephew Robin Eleazer; her niece Nila Kay Eleazer; and her brother-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Carl M. Fisher.

She is survived by her daughter, Anne Lindsey Halford Burley (George) of Blythewood, SC; her son, Richard Gaines Halford (Stacey); her granddaughter, Claudia Elizabeth Halford of Columbia, SC; her siblings, Col. William Eleazer (Jan) of St. Petersburg, Fl, and Miriam Eleazer Fisher of Charlotte, NC; nieces and nephews Hal Eleazer (Susan), Carl Eleazer, Lyn Eleazer Bethea (Earl), Stone Eleazer (Marilee), Jill Eleazer Sokol (John), Carl Fisher, Jr. (Erin), Joy Eleazer White (Stephen), Dr. Jeremy Fisher (Katie), Dr. Janthi Fisher Webster (Jonathan), Lt. Col. Linn Fisher (Jennijoy) and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family wished to thank the entire staff of Still Hopes, especially Marie Wilson, her steady caregiver for eight years. The Congaree Floor Staff: Nurses- Walter Gregg, Mercedes Tyler, Melinda Hicklin-Page, Yvonne Persello CNAs- Sonia Fuller, Lynda Hemingway, Val Sinclair, Betty Anderson, Anaisha Scott, Avila Hernandez-Miles, Connie Craig, Veronica Ford, Ciara Mack who cared for “Cheetie” with such care and respect the last three and half years. Thank you to Janie Godbold from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral who regularly visited and took Communion to "Cheetie".

“Cheetie”’s legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched as an educator, her devotion to her family, and her enduring strength, humor, and grace.

A Celebration of Cheetie's Life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Still Hopes Chapel of the Holy Spirit, with visitation one hour prior at Still Hopes.

Friends are welcome to come and pay their respects from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

Memorials may be made to Blood Cancer United bloodcancerunited.org; Sister Care Women’s Shelter sistercare.org/; The Still Hopes Employee Assistance Fund or a charity of your choosing.