Elsie Philyaw Gosnell

Elsie Philyaw Gosnell, age 97, of Clarkesville, GA, died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at a private care facility following an extended illness. Mrs. Gosnell was born on June 23, 1912 in Rabun County, Georgia to the late Leamon S. and Sallie Mae Burrell Philyaw. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Oris S. Gosnell, her sisters, Exie Philyaw, Lillie Bell, and Esta Mae Roberts, and her brothers, Fermon, Grover, and Claude Philyaw. Mrs. Gosnell was the oldest member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church having joined the church in 1924. She was a member the Ladies Sunday School Class at her church. Mrs. Gosnell was the owner and operator of the Elsie's Florist in Clarkesville, GA. Survivors include: her brother and sister-in-law: Varon and Joyce Philyaw, Anderson, SC; her brother-in-law: Bob Bell, Mt. Airy, GA; her sisters-in-law: Bell Philyaw, Richmond, VA; Marlene Philyaw, Summerfield, FL; her nieces: Jan Philyaw Haynes, Baldwin, GA; Pam Philyaw, Richmond, VA; her nephews: James P. Roberts, Anderson, SC; Michael Philyaw, Richmond, VA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia with Rev. Furman Lewis and Dr. Bill Cashion officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Bob Philyaw officiating at the graveside. The family will receive friends at the North Chapel from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2010. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1841 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia.