Nellie Eileen Short, expert crab picker

Mrs. Nellie Eileen Short, 97, of Gumboro, passed away Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014.

Eileen was born Aug. 12, 1917, in Hooper’s Island, Md. to the late Gorman and Ruth Simmons. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Smith, and her second husband Earl Short; and a son, Robert Wayne Smith in 2004.

She worked as a crab picker at crab houses on Hooper’s Island and later worked as an assembly technician for the NCR Company. She was a member of the Gumboro United Methodist Church, charter member of the Gumboro Vol. Fire Co. Station 79 Ladies Auxiliary, and a member of the Frankford Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was known for her crab picking skills. Eileen liked to crochet, loved flowers, and loved her family. Eileen was always known to be dressed very nice and her hair always looked very nice too. She was a wonderful woman and will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her son, Clifford Smith Sr. of Gumboro; a daughter-in-law, Joann Smith of Gumboro; a sister, Olive Harper of Cambridge, Md.; a sister-in-law, Melva Simmons of Hooper’s Island; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by special friends Dorothy “Dot” Collins and Wayne and Jane Nock, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

A funeral service and celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Pastor Doris Whaley will officiate. The burial will follow at Selbyville Redmen's Cemetery.

Flowers accepted.