Mrs. Elsie B. Marcum

Elsie Bowling Marcum, widow of Johnnie Marcum, of Marcum Hill Road, and a lifelong resident of Clay County, died on April 7, 2011. Elsie was retired from the agency of the Cabinet of Families and Children and spent her career assisting the men, women, and children of Clay County through social services.

Elsie was born February 5, 1923, to Taylor and Lucy Webb Bowling of Big Creek. She excelled in school and is still remembered by her peers as the smartest girl in class. As a teenager, she left Clay County to work at the Bluegrass Army Depot outside of Berea, Kentucky. She and her sister Jean lived in Berea and often rode the bus home to Big Creek on the weekends. After WWII, she returned home to marry Johnnie at Bear Branch. Their marriage lasted until his death in 1998. During those years, they raised their hunting dogs, spent many weekends at their fish camp in Tennessee and enjoyed hosting fish fries for family and friends. According to Elsie's nieces, an overnight visit to their house was considered nearly as special as Christmas itself.

Elsie will long be remembered for her sweet, sweet spirit and her generosity to all. As long as she was able, she befriended her sisters through their illnesses and their sorrows. No sacrifice was too great for her loved ones. She possessed a gentle nature that revealed itself in her kind words and compassionate character. She was a role model for her family and exhibited the qualities which the Bible describes as those of a virtuous woman. Her abiding faith in the Lord and her comfort in the knowledge of His plan for her life inspired all who knew her. As the psalmist says, "Goodness and Mercy have followed her, and she is now dwelling in the House of the Lord."

Elsie is survived by her devoted sisters, Mae Bowling Roberts of Manchester and Jean Bowling Cain of Berea, Kentucky.

Also mourning her loss are her nieces and nephews, who delighted in her company and will long remember her concern and love for them and their children.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters Alma Bowling Sizemore, Oma Bowling Hoskins, and Helen Bowling Eagle; and her brother Stanley Bowling.

Pallbearers will be her Bowling and Marcum nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be her nieces.

Services will be conducted at noon on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Rominger Funeral Home in Manchester with Brother Steve May of Big Creek Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be at 6:00 PM on Friday.

The family is grateful to Mossie Smith, Nettie Rawlings, and Patsy Henson, who were not only her caretakers but also her friends. Their tender care allowed her to look forward to their fellowship and to live comfortably in her own home.