Elsie Loraine Darrow White Rymer, 88, of Cleveland, Tn., died Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Bradley Health Care & Rehabilitation Home where she has been a resident since suffering a stroke in 2001.
She was born September 24, 1923, in Shreveport, La. Elsie graduated from Fair Park High School, in Shreveport in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy WAVES shortly thereafter. She was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy as a seaman 1st Class in October 1945. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church in Cleveland where she delighted in participating in the choir. A highlight of her involvement at Westwood was a mission trip to Haiti. She worked for many years as a stock/sales clerk at Parks Belk Co., and operated her own catering business in Cleveland. She also worked a number of years at Duracell. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends as well as traveling with her friends until her health declined.
She was the daughter of the late Ernest Raleigh and Emma Walker Darrow of Shreveport; and was also preceded in death by her husband, Sport Rymer; her brothers, Clarence Darrow, Charles Darrow and Ernest Darrow; and sisters, Esther B. Clawson and Gloria Stanley.
She is survived by her children, Virginia Kaye McClanahan (Johnny), Sarah Emily Suits (Chuck), and Elizabeth Ann Fortner (Kenneth) of Cleveland, and Frank William White (Natalie) of Clarksville; brothers, Emmett (Buddy) Darrow and Elbert Darrow both of Shreveport, La.; eight grandchildren,Travis McClanahan, Holly McClanahan Roark, Kelly McClanahan, Jason Suits, David Suits, Aaron Fortner, Amy Fortner Hobbs and Andrew White; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Minister Wayne Finnell and Joyce Evans officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with Jason Suits, David Suits, Aaron Fortner, Barrett Hobbs, Andrew White and Mack Suits serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.
Her family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 25 at the Ralph Buckner Funeral Home who has charge of the arrangements.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff on Wing 4 at the Bradley County Nursing Home for the kind and loving care our mother received during her residence there.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank or The Caring Place in Cleveland.