Elmira Doris McCastle

Mrs. McCastle peacefully passed away at her residence.Viewing is Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mortuary. Funeral Service is Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 1:00 PM in "Memory Chapel" at the Mortuary.Burial will immediately follow service at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Please feel free to contact our office at anytime for additional information.Elmira Doris McCastle was born in Gethsemane Arkansas on November 25, 1925. She was the first of ten children born to the late Alberta Patterson-McCastle and David McCastle. She received her formal education at Oak Grove Rosenwald Middle School in Altheimer, Jefferson County, Arkansas. The school she attended is now Oak Grove Baptist Church. She met Robert C Lewis and was married in 1946 in Stuttgart Arkansas, four children were born to this union; Betty, Donny, Margaret and Melba Lewis. Elmira volunteered as a midwife under the supervision of the late Dr. J. B. Bryant of Stuttgart, Arkansas. She also worked as a Vital Statistic Filing Clerk for Arkansas State Board of Health from 1948 to 1952. After her marriage was dissolved, she moved in with her grandmother, Elmira Patterson- Carter, to be her in-home health care provider. During this time Elmira had three children: Raymond, William, and Ray Charles. Independently, Elmira worked to provide for her children. After her grandmother passed she moved in with Aunt Minnie to save money to relocate to California with her mother and father. By the 1960s Elmira had enough money saved and relocated to Otay, California. Elmira met Sam Tharpe, their courtship led to a blissful union. Elmira and Sam were devoted to each other and they moved to San Diego where they united their children together. To their union they added four children Tracy, Sam Jr, Sharrie Lynn, and Anita Kaye. In about 1967 Elmira joined partnership with Paul Hendrix Commercial Janitorial Services were she and family members provided services throughout San Diego County for over 12 years. A Mothers Work is never done! Elmira was a strong woman who cared for her children, her children's children and her great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Elmira also opened her home and heart to extended family and friends. Elmira's special joy in life was fishing. Just to say "fishing" was Grandma's "me time". She would fish every day of the week if she could find someone, anyone, a family member, a friend or even a stranger to take her. If Elmira couldn't find anyone to take her fishing, oh-boy! She would start spring cleaning and you could cancel your plans for the day, because you, too, are cleaning today! We can simply say that she enjoyed her life and absolutely loved taking care of family and friends. She wouldn't have had it any other way. Elmira applied her homemaking and cooking skills that were passed down from generations, such as her sewing skills and the sharing of family recipes with others. No one was a stranger when it came to her home as well as her home-cooked meals. All were invited into her home as extended family members. Elmira was an open, kindhearted person who welcomed everyone in her home with her motherly love and care. Many people knew her called her "Mom". Her social skills and abilities handled many things and had no limits. As a talented seamstress making pants, shirts, prom and wedding dresses for her family and friends, she cut out patterns, and redesigned them to tailor fit She also reupholstered furniture including couches, chairs, ottomans, sofas and even car seats. Her labor-intensive skills were admired and greatly appreciated by all. Our Reflections about Elmira: An amazing Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend to all. Stronger than you know, More beautiful than you think, Worthier than you believe, More loved than you can ever imagine. Passionate about making a difference. Fiery when protecting those she loved. A learner that glowed Warm, Giving, Generous, Funny, Smart, Flawed, Whole, Scared, Brave, And so much more! Elmira was known as the nucleus of the family and was a strong support system for others. Elmira was known for her fun-loving spirit with a bit of frankness with family and friends. She was a person with "a heart of gold". Anytime someone needed her assistance she would do everything with in her power to help them. No matter how big or small the favor was, she provided her supportive efforts for their cause. Elmira McCastle departed on November 23, 2014 at 10:21 a.m. with her faithful caregivers Melba, Sam Jr., LaChea, Desmond, and Demetria by her side. She joins her mother and father; Alberta and David McCastle, her devoted companion, Sam Tharpe; her five brothers; Elsworth, Lee, Alonzo, Lloyd and Carl McCastle, one sister; Martha Burton, one son; Ray Charles McCastle, two daughters; Anita Kaye Tharpe and Barbara Jamerson; and two granddaughters; Joi Hancock and Felicia Lewis all of whom preceded her in death. Elmira McCastle is survived by: Sons: Theophlis Lewis, Raymond McCastle (Dawn), William McCastle, Tracy Tharpe (Darcel), Sam Tharpe, Jr., all of San Diego County, California and Sammie Tharpe (Debra), of Pomona, California. Daughters: Betty Courtney, Margaret Ivery, and Melba Lewis (Glenn), Ethel Tharpe, all of San Diego, California and Sharrie Lynn Connors (Joe) of Washington, North Carolina and adopted daughter Dutricia Smith (CJ) of Clayton, North Carolina. Two Sisters; Doris Ann Johnson and Minnie Faye McCastle and one brother; William E.P. McCastle all of San Diego, California. 46 Grandchildren; 43 Great-grandchildren; and 5 Great-great grandchildren One Cousin, James (Johnnie) Simms from Wabbaseka, Arkansas She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She will be surely missed by all.