

Elsie Jean Gambel, 91, passed on May 21, 2026. She was born August 5, 1934 in Talladega, AL to Walter and Flora Thackerson. She graduated from Talladega High School in the 50's. She also graduated from Central Weslyn College in South Carolina, then going on to graduate from Carraway Methodist Nursing School. She worked at Carraway Methodist Hospital, Norwood Clinic, and retired from Baptist Montclair Medical Center. She was a Registered Nurse until the age of 90 when she retired her nursing license.
While working at Carraway she met and married a handsome young pharmacist, Mack E. Gambel. They were married for 45 years until his passing in 2003. She was a member of Ruhama Baptist Church and South Roebuck Baptist Church.
Elsie is preceded in death by her husband, Mack Elbert Gambel, her parents, Walter and Flora Thackerson, her brother, Walter Anthony Thackerson Jr., and her grandson, Brandon Joshua Byrd.
She will be missed by her daughters; Glenda Gambel Alexander (Lester "Bill"), and Gail Gambel Roberts (Frank), sisters; Betty Louise Thackerson Wyatt, and Lillian Drucilla Thackerson Grizzard, grandchildren; Louis Randall DeArman (Susan), Regina Danielle DeArman, Brett Matthew Byrd (Megan), Brandon Joshua Byrd, and Brian Michael Byrd (Hannah), great-grandchildren; Sela DeArman, Emmett DeArman, Charlie DeArman, Myles DeArman, Barrett Byrd, and Anne Brandon Byrd, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, step grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Ridout's Trussville Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235, US, on May 26, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.
A Graveside Service will take place at Pine Hill Memorial Park, 35036 AL-21, Talladega, AL 35160, US, on May 26, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
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