Leota S. Elder

Leota Snider Elder, residing in Frederick, MD since 2011 died November 3, 2013 at Frederick Memorial Hospital.  She was 83.

Born February 12, 1930, in Mathias, WV she was the daughter of the late George Preston and Ettie Emswiler.   Leota grew up in a large family and participated in rural life to the fullest, including tending to the family garden, helping with the farm animals, as well as other household chores.  She involved herself in as many local and school activities as possible including the school band and the girls’ varsity basketball team.  She graduated from Mathias High School in 1948.  She married Curtis R. Elder from Baker, WV and moved to Hyattsville, MD where they raised five children. After their children left home they moved to Stephens City, VA.  She devoted her life to caring for her family and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She enjoyed canning, bowling, watching sports, and anything that could bring a good laugh.  Continuing a family tradition, she was a loyal Republican and served as an election judge on many occasions.  Family reunions were especially important to her and she always looked forward to any opportunity to visit with her large extended family.  Leota was a devout Christian and loved singing hymns.    Even in the last stages of her life she would hum the hymns while others would sing.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years, Curtis R. Elder, who died in 2004 ; two children, Curtis Edward (Eddie) Elder and Etta Marie Elder; and six brothers, Ervin Emswiler, Russell Emswiler, John Emswiler, Charles Emswiler, Ernest Emswiler, Byron Emswiler, and three sisters, Mary Fake, Lena Noble, and Jeanette Combs.

She is survived by two brothers and two sisters, Bill Emswiler of Lynchburg, and Leonard Emswiler and his wife, Juanita, of Winchester; Edith Tusing of Mathias, WV and Peggy Mathias and her husband, Vernon, of Harrisonburg; by one brother-in-law, David Lee Elder, and his wife Ruth; by three sons:  James B. Elder, and his wife, Kathy of Davidsonville, MD, Daniel B. Elder of Boyds, MD, and David Myron Elder of Inwood, WV; 6 grandchildren, Kristen Elder Smith and Jason M. Elder of Crofton, MD, Preston and Melinda Elder of Boyds, MD, and Jeremy and Edward P. Elder of Portland, OR; and three great grandchildren, Makayla Leota Elder, Delano Frank Green, Jr., and Nicolas Bear Elder.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 10:30 to 11:30AM at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel, 1260 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, VA 22602.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:30AM on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel with Reverend Dr. Richard Reifsnyder and Reverend Mitch Emswiler officiating.  Interment will be in Shenandoah Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com