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Eloise Lillian Hatchell Gumm

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Eloise Gumm Obituary

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Sep. 11, 2009.

GUMM, Eloise Lillian Hatchell, 100, of Virginia Beach, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2009, at the home of her daughter in Kilmarnock after several months of illness. She was a native of Portsmouth and the only child of Ivan Douglas and Lillian Covington Hatchell. She was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Harry Moore Gumm. Eloise celebrated her 100th birthday on February 17, 2009. Eloise was well known, respected and honored in the bowling industry for many years as proprietor, national champion duckpin bowler, instructor and consultant for the Brunswick Corporation before retiring in 1985. She is survived by her two daughters, Lillian Martin and husband, Donald, of Virginia Beach, and Audrey Sears of Kilmarnock; seven grandchildren, Donna Martin of Charlottesville, Amy Martin Townsend and husband, the Rev. Clark Cundiff, Grey Martin and wife, Cathy, Alison Martin Ingram and husband, Rob, all of Virginia Beach, Michael Sears and wife, Jill, of Phoenix, Ariz., David Sears and wife, Donna, of Aliso Viejo, Calif., and the Rev. John Sears of Houston, Texas; 10 great-grandchildren, Dylan and Alexandra Townsend and Dean and Evan Martin, all of Virginia Beach, Emily, Audrey and Will Sears of Phoenix, Ryan Sears of Aliso Viejo, and Claire and Robert Sears of Spring, Texas. Eloise was an active member of Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, where she was also a member of the Beasley Bible Class and the Craig Tyson Circle. She volunteered for many years at the Potter House of VBUMC. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, with a celebration of Eloise's life. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Virginia Beach United Methodist Church of the VBUMC Heasley Bible Class, 19th and Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach, Va. 23451, or a charity of your choice.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

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Becky and Liz Williams and Browne

September 9, 2009

To all of "grandmom's" family, we send our sympathy and best wishes. We haven't met many of you, but feel we know you through Donna. She is our best friend and talks about all of you with such love and respect. We met Elsie many years ago, and she impressed us with her wit, and ability to climb those stairs with ease... Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. We are sorry we can't be there for the service, but do know that we will be thinking about you.