Elizabeth Hemphill Elder

Mrs. Elizabeth Hemphill Elder, 93, of Decatur , died September 30, 2005, at Sunrise Assisted Living of Decatur. She was the wife of the late Russell Elder.  She was born in Pike County, GA, December 13, 1911, and attended Griffin public schools. She continued her education at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, where she studied French and music. She received a bachelor's degree in French from Converse, and later became a teacher in the Griffin Public School system, where she taught several different grades. She also taught WWII veterans in night school after their return to Griffin. She was the organist at Griffin's First Presbyterian Church for over twenty-five years. She also played for many musical events in Griffin, and was a member of the Griffin Music Club. She taught private piano lessons to many of Griffin's budding musicians.  In 1959, the Elder family moved to Tampa, Florida, where she became a teacher in the Hillsborough County School System. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tampa and was active in many musical functions in the community.  In 1962, the family returned to Georgia, where Mrs. Elder became a teacher in the DeKalb County School System. She continued her own education, receiving a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. She became the music teacher for three elementary schools, where she was responsible for over 800 students at the same time. During this period, she was organist and choir director at Morningside Presbyterian Church. She then held the same positions at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. She was an avid member of the Callonwolde Fine Arts Center Guild and became the first organist at Callonwolde after the restoration of this fine home's built-in organ. She remained an organist there for over twenty-five years and was responsible for coordinating the scheduling of many Atlanta organists for the Christmas at Callonwolde event for many years. She was a substitute organist at several Atlanta churches until she became a member of the Decatur Presbyterian Church, where she became a Women of the Church Circle Leader. She was a member of the Newton-Morris Sunday School class there.  Mrs. Elder was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa teachers' society, a member of the Atlanta Music Club, and a long-time member of the Atlanta Organ Guild. She was a teacher in the DeKalb County Life Enrichment Program and was an active member of the Decatur Garden Club.  Elizabeth married Russell Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Griffin on April 3, 1933. They were married for 65 years. She is survived by three children, Jim Elder of Decatur, Lisa McDonough and her husband Bob of Decatur, and Bill Elder and his wife Patti of Marietta; four grandchildren, Rob McDonough of Avondale Estates, Beth Eisenmesser and her husband Lee of Dunwoody, Charles Elder and his wife Antonia of Atlanta, and David Elder and his wife Stacey of Winder; and two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Jacob Eisenmesser. The family would like to express sincere thanks for the exceptional care given to Elizabeth Elder by the staffs of Sunrise Assisted Living of Decatur and Crossroads Hospice of Atlanta.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, October 3, at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur, 404-292-1551. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, October 4, in the Chapel of Decatur Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin, GA. The graveside service will be at 4:00 pm.