Epsie Jo Elmer

Epsie was born in Troupe, TX on August 19, 1935, to Lyle and Thelma Gregory. She moved with her family to Arkansas in 1947, graduating from Carthage High School in 1953. While at Carthage High School, Epsie set the Arkansas High School State Women’s Basketball scoring record, making 43 of her team’s 46 total points in a state championship game: a record that stood for many years. With the promise of employment, within just a few days of her high school graduation, she rode a cross-country bus by herself to Indiana and made the Hoosier State her home for nearly all her life. She lived for 23 years in Hamilton, Indiana and in 1977 married Robert L. Elmer and moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where she lived until 2021.

Throughout her professional career, she worked for Wolf & Dessauer, General Electric, and People’s Trust Bank, eventually becoming an officer in the Data Processing Department at People’s Trust, which, in 1970, was quite an accomplishment for a woman. In 1982, Epsie began pursuing a business opportunity with Mary Kay Cosmetics. Through dedication and perseverance, she built a highly successful business, earning the use of a company car beginning in 1984. She eventually rose to become an Executive Senior Sales Director in Mary Kay and drove the prestigious Mary Kay Pink Cadillac for many of those years: an accomplishment for which she was very proud. She took great pride in her Directorship in Mary Kay, mentoring hundreds of Mary Kay Sales Consultants over the years and helping many of the consultants in her unit achieve success within the Mary Kay organization. Epsie remained active in her Mary Kay business for 42 years, retiring at the age of 86. On top of being an avid Indiana University basketball fan, she was also a devoted Christian and a longtime member of Blackhawk Ministries in Fort Wayne.

She spent her final years in Meridianville, Alabama, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, hard work and mentorship that will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Epsie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and is survived by her children and stepchildren: Dan Bowers (Terri) Meridianville, Alabama; Daryl Bowers Fruitland Park, Florida; Steve Elmer (Janet), Robin Newman, and Robert D. Elmer, all of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Linda Kirk of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was blessed with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family wants to extend a special thanks to Compassus Hospice Care of Huntsville, Alabama for the wonderful care and support they provided during this difficult season. No funeral services are planned for Epsie.

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand. An angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand. The angel said my place was ready, in Heaven far above and that I would have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven’s gates I felt so much at home, for God looks down, smiles at me and told me “Welcome Home.”

So when tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me I’m right there in your heart.