Julia Gillette Gossom Elder, 95, of Rocks Church Road, Pamplin, died Monday, October 19, 2015 in Virginia Baptist Hospital. She was the wife of the late Rev. Winfred Hugo Elder. Gillette will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Born in Lynchburg, Va., on August 27, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Josie Dudley and Frank Ish Gossom Sr. She was a member of Rocks Baptist Church where she actively served as Sunday School teacher, WMU Director, VBS Director, pianist, and Choir Director. Mrs. Elder was a secretary for the Dean of Lynchburg College and for Appomattox County Primary School. She was known throughout the area for her musical talents. Mrs. Elder was pianist, organist, or choir director for Fairview Christian Church, Lynchburg; Schuyler Baptist, Mt. Shiloh Baptist, Sharon Baptist, Ariel Baptist, and Rockfish Baptist in Nelson and Albemarle Counties; Rocks Baptist, Central Baptist, and Hollywood Baptist in Appomattox County; and the Fairview Quartet, Lynchburg; Appomattox Civic Chorus; and Appomattox Baptist Association.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank Lee Elder and wife, Zandra and Barry D. Elder and wife, Teresa all of Pamplin; two daughters, Joanne E. East of Forest and Patricia Elder of Pamplin; six grandchildren, Adrian and Brian McPeak, Clara Jo and Michael Cunningham, Jodi and Christopher Simpson, Cary and Dustin Reynolds, Mary and Clifford Pavalonis, and John and Sarah East; five great-grandchildren, Ava McPeak, Laurel Reynolds, Julia Simpson, Vail East, and Olivia East.

She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jerry East, Jr. and a brother, Frank Ish Gossom, Jr.

A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 22, 2015, in Rocks Baptist Church by the Rev. Rick Painter and the Rev. Ron Moore. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Robinson Funeral Home Wednesday, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and other times at the home of Barry and Teresa Elder, Hixburg Road, Pamplin.

The family would like to express their thanks to the MSIU and Hospice Skilled Care Unit of Virginia Baptist Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care of Mama.