Thelma L. Elliott

Thelma L. Elliott, 93, of Gallipolis, Ohio passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Emogene Dolin Hospice House in Huntington, West Virginia. Thelma was born on March 4, 1923 in Circleville, Ohio daughter of the late John R. and Pearl (Boster) Russell. Her family moved back to Mudsoc, Gallia County in 1927. Thelma retired after 33 years of services as the Executive Director of the Gallipolis Chamber of Commerce and then worked for the municipal and Common Pleas Courts. She was the Secretary for the Gallia Rural Water Board until 2015. Thelma also served two times as the President of the Gallia County Junior Fair Board and she dearly loved the Queen Pageant. She also was the Business and Professional Woman’s Club Woman of the Year and the Southeastern Regional Council Woman of the Year in 1982. Thelma was a 1941 graduate of Gallia Academy High School, a Kentucky Colonel, worked at National Cash Register in Dayton and was a member of New Life Lutheran Church. She loved sports and The Ohio State Football, and was especially proud that her children and grandchildren had the Mudsoc experience with their Grandpa Russell. Thelma was married to Charles Max Elliott on December 14, 1941 in Pomeroy, Ohio and he preceded her in death on August 14, 1983. She is survived by her children a daughter Ann (John) Harsh of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and a son Russell Elliott (Jeannie Stumbo) of Gallipolis, two grandchildren, Ryan (Cassie) Elliott and Jillian (Travis) Souders, three great grandchildren, Todd and Breanna Elliott and Trent Souders, one sister Roma (Russell) Wood of Gallipolis, a brother-in-law Edwin Elliott and many loving nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Avonelle Cobb. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Willis Funeral Home with Pastor John Jackson officiating. Her burial will follow in the Ohio Valley Memory Gardens. Friends may call on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. at Willis Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Dannie Greene, Don Cox, Brent Bolin, Dean Evans, Ryan Elliott, Travis Souders and Skip Meadows. Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.