Elizabeth Mullaly Gadilhe, 90 of Oxford, passed away on Wednesday, April 20.
For 67 years she was the loving wife of Charles Eugene “Gene” Gadilhe who passed away in 2013. Her family, the source of her greatest joy, includes her six daughters and sons-in-law - Genie and the late David Blough of Mobile, Alabama, Renee and Shelby Childers of Sharon, Michelle and Randy Sims of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Cherie and John McElwrath of Sharon, Alisa Gadilhe and Bill Pfleuger of Oxford and Nanette and Jeff Watson of Davidson, North Carolina; her sister Alice Gadilhe of Highlands, North Carolina; her 14 grandchildren, Holly and John Bailey of Charleston, West Virginia, Lauren and John Hensley of Mobile, Alabama, Noel and Will Christian of Macon, Nate Childers of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Alison and David Vause of Debary, Florida, Leanne Sims of Washington, DC, Ryan and Nikki Sims of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Clay Sims of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Caitlin McElwrath of Seattle, Lt. Craig McElwrath of Shreveport, Louisiana, Alane and Rocky Wright of Neptune Beach, Florida, Brad and Emily Watson of Charlotte, North Carolina, Matt and Ashley Watson of Burke, Virginia, Tucker and Samantha Watson of Winston Salem, North Carolina and her 20 great grandchildren , John, Brooks and Lisette Bailey, Mills, Charlie and Walter Hensley, Melanie and Hannah Christian, Greyson and Dylan Vause, Lily Sims, Cheyenne and Roscoe Wright, Luke and Aubrey Watson, Caroline, Truman, and Jack Watson, and Brynn and Maddie Watson.
Elizabeth met Gene just prior to his service in WWII in General Patton's 3rd Division and they married three years later in New York City. Throughout their life they lived in many places. Their family adventures included tobogganing and fossil hunting in Utah, crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge when it was new, visiting the New York World's Fair in 1964, braving the cold in a sparse cabin at Yellowstone National Park when spring came unexpectedly late, catching necklaces and candy in Mobile at Mardi Gras and many nights stargazing and looking for satellites in the backyard. Elizabeth and Gene instilled in their daughters a love for life, a sense of adventure, and the ability to reach for the stars. They settled in Brunswick, Georgia where Elizabeth was named Georgia Homemaker of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds with many active projects and countless ones waiting in the wings; however, she was known as an accomplished seamstress who always provided seven beautiful new dresses for her daughters on each of their birthdays. Elizabeth was famous for going all out for holiday decorations, especially Christmas where her grandchildren made a contest of counting all the Christmas trees. After Gene's passing, Elizabeth made a home at Merryvale Assisted Living in Oxford, where she enjoyed making new friends, playing bingo and going for walks.
A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. William B. Wade Jr. and her grandson Pastor Matthew Eugene Watson on Monday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Covington, GA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Merryvale Assisted Living, 11980 Highway 142 N, Oxford, GA 30054 in Elizabeth's name.
