Albert Earl Elmore

Albert Earl Elmore, retired professor, lawyer and author of a book that shed fresh light on Abraham Lincoln’s most famous address, will be remembered at a memorial service Saturday in Athens. He was 78.

Elmore, who died Nov. 3, taught English and drama at Athens State University from 1987 to 2013, writing plays on topics from songwriter Stephen Foster to the court-martial of Civil War-era Col. Basil Turchin.

His published works included a 2009 book, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: Echoes of the Bible and Book of Common Prayer. The book was dedicated to civil rights leader Medgar Evers, whom Elmore knew as a young man in Mississippi during a turbulent era for the nation.

Author John B. Boles called the Lincoln book “essential reading” for anyone interested in “the most elegant public address in American history.” A paperback edition is planned for 2017.

Elmore, who grew up in Forest, Miss., received a B.A. degree in English from Millsaps College in 1962, was named a 1964 Woodrow Wilson Fellow and received his Ph. D. from Vanderbilt University in 1968 and law degree from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1979.

He is survived by sons Charles Andrew Elmore of Wellington, Fla. and John Edward Elmore of Atlanta, Ga.; sisters Lillie Valena Elmore Gresham of Athens and Panzey Elise Elmore Maxwell of Franklin, Tenn.; and six grandchildren: Martha Hollingsworth Elmore, Shelby Elizabeth Elmore, Andrew John Elmore, Elzie Elizabeth Elmore, Emma Speir Elmore and John Edward Elmore Jr.

Nieces include Pattt Gresham Fredericksen, Cheryl Gresham Moore and Laura Supowit; nephews include Michael Gresham and Scott Supowit.

Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 11 at the McConnell Funeral Home at 1200 E. Forrest Street in Athens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Athens. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery