Elsie Irene Ross

Elsie is described by many who loved her as an amazing, sweet, loving, strong and generous woman. She will be remembered as a woman who was always concerned for her friends and family and someone who always help others.

Elsie was a dedicated and long-time member of the Church of Christ at White Station. She loved traveling with fellow church members, working at the Business Luncheons and meeting to discuss stocks with the Investment Club members.

She loved gardening and her yard was on tour with the Greentrees Garden Tour several times. She enjoyed arranging flowers for church functions, hosting parties for her many friends and being involved with the church Coffee House and Exercise group. Elsie had a deep love and appreciation for her many friends and church family.

She married Malcolm Ross New Year’s Eve in 1953 with a ready-made family of five and they later had another child. She was a mother, homemaker, gardener and “get it done” woman. After Malcolm’s death, she lived independently well into her 90’s and continued to manage her household very effectively.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Malcolm E. Ross, sons Jimmie L. Martin and Michael D. Ross, two grandchildren Tammy Martin Atkins and John Matthew Pirtle and ten siblings.

She leaves behind two daughters Judy Bekavac of Memphis, Deana Goad (Fred) of Brentwood, TN, two sons Johnnie Martin (Joan) of Lexington, SC, Stephen E. Ross (Faye) of Henryetta, OK; very special granddaughter and exceptional caregiver, Alyn Pirtle; grandchildren Joey Jernigan, Jason Ross, Deana Haley, Sheri Hotz, John and Tommy Martin and Marcie and Cassie Ross; and many loved great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her dear friend Mary Hilty.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 19 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue. The service will be held at Memphis Funeral Home at 2:00 pm Thursday, April 20 with Internment in Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Church of Christ at White Station, 1106 Colonial Road, Memphis, TN 38117, for the benefit of the Coffee House & Exercise program, or to a charity important to you in Elsie’s honor and name.

This wonderful woman, who meant so much to her family and friends, will be missed by all whose lives she touched. We will remember her strength and kind and giving heart.

Special thanks to Methodist Alliance Hospice Care