Elsie Elaine Sheppard Gathman passed away on May 17, 2023, at Alexian Village on Signal Mountain.
Elsie was born to Hubbie Sheppard and Grace Lovell Sheppard on June 28, 1931, in Williston, N.D. She married Donald Ivan Gathman in 1950 and together they had three daughters. Don's career with Texaco led them to live in many different locations in the Rocky Mountain west, settling in Houston in 1967. She moved to Signal Mountain in 1995. She was an active member of Signal Crest United Methodist Church. She enjoyed her grandchildren, playing bridge, reading, and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Gathman, daughter Julie Anna Gathman, and sister Frances Lee.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Gathman (Larry) McNeese of Emory, Texas, and Dona Gathman (Gary) Smith of Signal Mountain, Tennessee. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Sarah Stroud Quinlan of McKinney, Texas, Ben (Marissa Bass) Stroud of Toledo, Ohio, Travis (Frances) Smith of Washington, DC, Ross Smith (Rachel Nelson) of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and Hunter Smith (Andrew Rooks) of Wildwood, Georgia. Great grandchildren are Owen, Liam, and Gavin Quinlan of McKinney, Texas, Bramwell Bass Stroud of Toledo, Ohio, and Luke and Scarlett Nelson of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. She is also survived by her sister Jean DuPaul of Great Falls, Montana.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Alexian Village for their attentive and tender care. Thanks also to Hearth Hospice, Rev. Bill Thornton, and Rev. Dave Graybeal of Signal Crest United Methodist Church, and caregiver Frances Williams.
Service and burial in a family plot in Williston, N.D., is planned for later in the summer.