NEWPORT NEWS - Mrs. Walter Alfred Leyland Sr. (Eunice) died Dec. 16, 2002, in the James River Convalescent Center at age 93. She was a native of Isle of Wight County, Va. She came to Newport News in 1919, was a graduate of Newport News High School and Longwood College in Farmville. She is a retired teacher of the Newport News Public School System. She has been an avid worker in the congregation of Trinity United Methodist Church, Newport News for more than 70 years. She served as president of the Alpha Delta Kappa Eta Chapter, The Hampton China Painters, the Lady Lions and the Woman’s Club of Newport News. She helped greatly in the USO during WWII. She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomas Bassett, a brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Stafford L. Bassett, and a brother-in-law, Frank H. Beard Sr., also a sister-in-law, Winfred Leyland Chesnut. Surviving are her sons, Walter Alfred Leyland Jr. and his wife, Shirley, and Thomas Bassett Leyland and his wife, Jody. Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Frank Harmon Beard Sr. (Arnice); four granddaughters and one grandson; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Newport News. Burial to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and friends are also encouraged to signed the family’s guest book at www.parklawn-woodfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 228 29th St., Newport News, VA 23607. Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton.
Published in the Daily Press on 12/18/2002.

I remember Mrs. Leyland well ... she was my fifth grade teacher at Magruder Elementary School. I always thought she was so glamorous! She encouraged me to think for myself and organize my priorities ... She was a blessing to many and I'll always remember her fondly. Peace and blessings to her family. Shine on Ms Leyland!          Alice Fowler Edwards (Lanexa, VA ) December 18, 2002           I was devastated to learn of Mrs. Leyland's death. I, too, was a member of Trinity Methodist, but I knew her best as my sixth grade teacher at Magruder ('58-'59). She absolutely changed my life. Her joy of teaching made everything fun to learn, and she gave us each the opportunity to grow and blossom under her tutelage. Through her, the expression, "...or it'll be woe be to you!" forever entered my family's vocabulary. I so wish I had found the opportunity to tell her just how deeply she affected my life by drawing me out of my shell, and finding joy and beauty everywhere. She taught so much more than art and English, music and history; she taught how to live life to its fullest, and to strive always to be the best you could be. My deepest sympathies to her family. I shall keep her forever in my heart.          Carol Buckley Harty (Fayetteville, NC ) December 18, 2002