Elsie Lee Whitson, 97, passed away in Centralia, Washington, on Oct. 24, 2023, to “go on home” and be with her Lord and Savior.
Elsie was born Sept. 12, 1926, to William and Leona Surrett in Buncombe County, North Carolina. She grew up the youngest of seven children on a tobacco farm.
Elsie married Martin Whitson on Dec. 14, 1946. They moved across the country to Washington where they raised two children, Kathy (John) Brooks and Jim (Karen) Whitson, whom she loved very much along with her grandchildren Marty (Maria) Dupertuis, Angelina (Michael) Hightower, Jeramiah Whitson and Sara Whitson, and great-grandchildren Martina, Austin, Marty Jr. and Elizabeth.
She had a full life of always helping others through her church, running a community food bank, and later in life sending gifts to friends and family.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Martin; four brothers; two sisters; her daughter, Kathy; and her granddaughter, Sara Whitson.
There will be a service for Elsie at Dryad Community Baptist Church on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at noon. The viewing will begin at 11:30 a.m.
The family would very much like to thank the wonderful people at Sharon Care Assisted Living who took such wonderful care of Elsie.
flIn lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dryad Community Baptist Church Building Fund, dryadbaptistchurch@gmail.com.
