Mrs.Effuah Elisabeth Chisholm

In profound sorrow we announce the passing of Mrs. Effuah E. Chisholm. Viewing will be Saturday, May 3, 2025 10:00 am-6:00pm; Family hour from 5:00pm-6:00pm at Grissom-Clark Eastlake Chapel. Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 17, 2025 3:00 pm at Central United Methodist Church 501 Mitchell Street SW Atlanta, GA 30314. Grissom- Clark Eastlake Chapel.

A loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunty, cousin and friend, Effuah "Effie" Elisabeth Chisholm departed earth from the peace of her home the afternoon of Friday, April 25, 2025. She was 59 years old.

Born on March 30, 1966 at Somerville Hospital, Effie's early life was spent in Dorchester, Massachusetts with her parents Robert "Bob" and Romelle Gray while they pursued undergraduate studies in Boston. After her brother Kona was born, Effie and the family moved across the country to Seattle as her parents completed graduate school at the University of Washington.

As they say, it takes a village to raise a child. During this time, Effie and Kona spent time in Liberia with grandmommie Elisabeth Effuah Gray and grandmommie Mae Keller. When they returned to Seattle, Uncle Yudu arrived to help with the children and pursue his degree. After her parents' graduation, the family moved back to the east coast and ultimately settled in Clarkston, Georgia. Effie went to elementary school in Clarkston and made close friends. She was always sweet and kind to everyone. Extended family and family friends were a constant presence during this time. Finally, the family returned to Liberia for career opportunities. In Liberia, Effie attended the LAMCO International School where she made lifelong friends and made many memories with friends and family.

Her time in Liberia was disrupted in 1980 due to a military coup d'etat and the family returned to the States. Also, during this period, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and the family found solace living with Uncle Romeo Keller in Decatur, Georgia. The family resettled in Clarkston where Effie attended Shamrock High School. There, she met one of her closest friends Kathy and they remained best friends for decades. In addition to close friends, she was always surrounded by family, particularly the many strong women who nurtured and inspired her - Romelle Gray, Elisabeth Gray, Mae Keller, Godma Rose, Aunty Arabella, Aunty Rosalyn, Aunty Lucretia, Aunty Facia, and Aunty Malia. During high school, she further developed a lasting bond with her Cousin Debbie who was also her roommate.

She graduated from Shamrock High School a semester early and subsequently began attending Emory University. During her time at Emory, she was initiated as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated through the Omicron Xi Chapter. In addition to the sisterhood built with her sorority sisters, she made lifelong friends at Emory. These women, Marita, Linda, and Lisa, served as constant fixtures in her life and their friendships continued to grow as they all became mothers.

The greatest joy in her life was meeting, cherishing, and marrying the late Donalthan "Donnie" Chisholm and growing a loving family. To this union were born Hannah-Marie, Miriam, and Caleb Chisholm. She loved supporting her children by attending swim meets, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader and leader within the PTA at their respective schools, as well as being a baseball and soccer mom. She was incredibly proud of her children's accomplishments. She worked for many years while raising a family and later pursued a second career as a librarian after receiving a Masters of Library Science from the University of North Texas. Effie's quest for knowledge never wavered and she worked with the Dekalb County Public Library as a children's librarian, branch manager, and later as the continuing education services coordinator. She enjoyed her work, colleagues, and the library patrons she served.

As a woman of faith, she found peace in the promises of God as the foundation of her life. She thrived in the ministries of Central United Methodist Church in Atlanta where she and her late husband raised their children. A dedicated believer in the Holy Spirit, she volunteered countless hours and led bible studies, Sunday School classes, and Vacation Bible School. Effie always shared her love for family and gave unselfishly to help anyone in need. She was caring, thoughtful, empathetic, resourceful and determined to make the world a better place. She wishes we all have a relationship with God, and find comfort and peace until we meet again.

Services will be livestreamed at:

https://www.youtube.com/live/hoHSi1OsNsw?si=WUVVVnqfSowX8Hog