GERTRUDE V. ELAM

GIDEON -- Gertrude Vula (McCormick) Elam, 97 of Gideon died Saturday, March 25, 2000, at the Gulf Coast Medical Hospital while staying with granddaughters in Biloxi, Miss.

She was born Sept. 29, 1902, near Oran, daughter of Robert Everett and Mary America Cruse McCormick.

She was the granddaughter of Reuben Monroe and Elizabeth Malinda Baker McCormick of Martin County, Ind.

She attended elementary school in Cape Girardeau and later moved to Glen Allen, Oran, and in 1917 to Gideon.

She married Roy Francis Elam on Sept. 28, 1920, at the New Madrid Courthouse. Mr. Elam died Jan. 21, 1988.

Mr. and Mrs. Elam engaged in farming, general mercantile, ginning and rental property. Mrs. Elam taught Sunday School at the First Methodist Church in Gideon for 40 years.

Survivors include her son, Roy F. Elam Jr. and wife Dorothy of Gideon; son-in-law, Kenneth M. Hudson of Jackson; grandchildren, Christopher and Judy Elam of Loretta, Tenn., Mrs. Roger (Vicki) Broderick of Welsh, La., Mrs. Ira (Marsha) Stover and Mrs. Michael (Debra) Norman, both of Biloxi, Miss., and Mrs. Harold (Patricia) Blackwood of Halls, Tenn.; eight great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is a brother, Marvin P. McCormick of Moreno Valley, Calif.; and a sister, Mrs. Thomas (Mabel) Smith of Newark, N.J.

A daughter, Frances E. Hudson, preceded her in death in 1987. Deceased siblings are Reuben M., Harvey E., Charles Arville, Roscoe N. and C. Luther McCormick, Mrs. Paul (Ruth) Rhea and Mrs. Effie Lintzenick Smith.

Friends may call at Bradshaw Chapel in Gideon after 6 p.m. Monday.

Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Gardens in Kennett with the Rev. Dwight Chapman officiating.