Elsie Mae Chism

Amory – Elsie Mae Gardner Chism, 99, died on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at her residence. Born in Monroe County on June 21, 1917 she was the daughter of the late James Walter and Bessie Kay Kyle Gardner.

Mrs. Chism graduated from Amory High School, class of 1935 and attended Business College majoring in bookkeeping and accounting. During World War II, she was a proud employee of the Prairie Ammunition plant. She also worked for the Amory Ford Motor Company, American Bosch which later became United Technology and Amory Garment. Her work record revealed that she never missed a day at any of her jobs. She later became a volunteer at the Gilmore Hospital.

Mae was a member of the Hatley Primitive Baptist church and attended St. Union Primitive Baptist church in Amory. She centered her life on the teachings of Christ and bestowed her faith upon her family and friends. Reading her Bible daily was how she began her day.

Mrs. Chism was the matriarch to her family. She loved each of her family members equally. She was proud to be able to help her family, whether it is financially or as a caregiver. Mae loved life and will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Ellis Chism who she married on December 22, 1962; a brother, James Marty Gardner and a sister, Mary Ruth Langford.

A celebration of Mae’s life will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 24, 2016 at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory with Bro. Bobby Howell and Bro. Tim Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family members and friends.

Visitation for Mae will be from 12:00 – 1:50 PM, Saturday, September 24 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be sent to St. Union Primitive Baptist Church, 61179 Highway 278 East, Amory, MS 38821


Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.