Elsie Lois Murphy Wootton known as “Wooty” was born in Booneville, Mississippi on January 29, 1924. She was one of 13 children born to Arthur and Jane Murphy. The family lived in a difficult time in our country’s history, the depression era. What they may have lacked in material possessions they more than made up for in the love the family shared.
As a young adult, Elsie moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she met her husband George Wootton after he returned from WW2. They married in 1947 and were married for 56 years until his passing in 2003.
Her family lived in Memphis, Tennessee and Alexandria, Louisiana. They moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 1964 where she lived the remainder of her life.
Elsie was a faithful member of Broadmoor Baptist Church where she was a member of Dr. David Grant’s Sunday School class. The many members of this class always shared a special bond. She enjoyed being a part of the senior adult JOY group, New Journey and WMU.
Elsie was a homemaker raising her three children. As her children were older, she began taking care of children in her home. Each child that she took care of she loved as her very own. Their family became a part of her family. One friend described her as everybody’s mom, one of the kindest women I ever knew.
Elsie always had a love of flowers. One of her favorite past-times was going to a local nursery and buying flowers, taking them home, planting and tending to them. She loved sitting outside with neighbors and friends surrounded by her flowers in her favorite swing drinking coffee.
Elsie will be remembered as having a home where all felt welcome and wanted to be there for her gentle, compassionate spirit and for the incredible wisdom she shared.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Broadmoor Baptist Church from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with the funeral following at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to Broadmoor Baptist Church missions or the charity of your choice.
Elsie is predeceased by her husband George O. Wootton, her parents Arthur and Martha Murphy, her twelve brothers and sisters and her daughter-in-law Susan Wootton. She is survived by her children Mike Wootton, Patty Smith (Clyde) and Mark Wootton (Amanda). Grandchildren Heather Fairburn (Brandon), Josh Wootton (Jennifer), Chad Smith (Laura), Drew Smith (Katie), Hannah Mitchell (Adam) and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
