Elsie E. Whitby, 80, of Gloucester, entered into her Heavenly home on Feb. 5, 2013.

Elsie was born June 10, 1932 in Brunswick County, Va., to Willie E. and Jewel B. Edwards. She graduated from Greenville High School, Emporia, Va., and worked as payroll clerk and accounts payable for Georgia-Pacific.

In 1977 Elsie and her family moved to Gloucester when her husband was transferred with Contel Telephone Company. Elsie was a dear Christian lady and a longtime member of Providence Baptist Church, where she enjoyed the Wednesday morning Bible study and helping with the Wednesday evening dinners.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William T. "Pete" Whitby; her parents; sister, Opal Barnes; brother, John Edwards; sister-in-law, Daisy Edwards, and brother-in-law, Joe Whitby.

She is survived by one son, Stephen Craig Whitby and wife Sherry; brother, William "Bill" Edwards and wife Sybil; sister-in-law, Olivia Whitby; brothers-in-law, Raymond L. Whitby and wife Shelby, and Ned W. Whitby and wife Bonnie; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a host of friends.

Funeral services conducted by the Rev. Richard Croxton will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at Providence Baptist Church. Interment will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Greenville Cemetery, Emporia.

The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.

In memory of Elsie, gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.