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BORN
1923
DIED
2013
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Gretchen Elder Obituary
Portsmouth - Gretchen Harper Elder died Tuesday, August 27, 2013. A native of Hat Creek, VA, she was a daughter of the late Luther L. and Lula Mae Harper. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Willie Hubbard Elder; two children, Marvin and Mark Elder; four brothers, Earl, Royal, Waverly and Elder Harper; and a sister, Rachel Guthrie.
Mrs. Elder was a member of Green Lakes Baptist Church and a graduate of Brookneal High School.
Survivors include a daughter, Vivian Elder of the home and a sister, Juanita Rogers of Lynchburg.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 3, at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel by Dr. Dwight Buchholz. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gretchen Elder
1 Entry
Linda sterling
September 1, 2013
I knew Mrs. Elder when she taught my children at Peter Pan Kindergarten back in the '70's. I would go there and play the piano and she would lead the little ones in song. I remember her loving ways with the children and her reading a story with such animation. They were all blessed to have her as a part of their early life. The one thing that stands out in my recall is that Mrs. Elder taught them to eat the crust of the bread on their sandwich. My children must have learned that lesson well, because they still do not waste that part today.
What a beautiful lady. My sympathy to all of her family.
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Sturtevant Funeral Home - Portsmouth Boulevard Chapel5201 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
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