Elsie Batemon Shannon

Mrs. Elsie Batemon Shannon, who was 84-years-old, finished her earthly race and transitioned to her heavenly home on December 10, 2022. She was blessed to make this transition in the home of her beloved granddaughter, Rachel Riggan. She was surrounded with both Rachel and Rachel’s husband, Jordan, by her side. Elsie was born on February 12, 1938, and spent her childhood in Pleasant Grove, AL. In the year 1953 on June 5th, she married her forever love Dr. Harper Shannon at 15 years of age. Elsie and Harper then had two children together during their marriage, their son Ken and daughter Grace.

Elsie spent most of her life living in Alabama, but also spent time in living in Kentucky while her husband, Harper, attended seminary. She was blessed with the gift of hospitality, and she never seemed to meet a stranger; anyone who crossed her path was warmly welcomed.

If you were ever her neighbor, she most likely baked you one of the most delicious pound cakes you would have ever tasted. When her husband relocated to Montgomery, AL to work with the Alabama Baptist State Convention she became actively involved in First Baptist Church of Montgomery, AL. She has been a Sunday School teacher, assisted in Vacation Bible School, participated in choir, and went on choir tours. Elsie also took a very active role in ministering to the single adults of First Baptist Church. Many of those single adults spent countless hours in her home, eating her delicious food and playing games. She loved hosting people in her home, whether it be her main home in Montgomery, AL or their lake house in Eufaula, AL. Elsie enjoyed bass fishing on Lake Eufaula and many people throughout the years enjoyed eating the fresh bass she would cook up, of course with a side of homemade hush puppies. She was always up for an adventure and spent hours upon hours traveling the roads from Alabama to Illinois, and even all the way to South Dakota. Elsie specifically enjoyed taking her granddaughters on adventures whether it be a road trip to a new place or a familiar summer trip to the beach. This world will greatly miss Elsie who was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Mrs. Elsie Shannon was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin P. “Shorty” and Mamie Batemon; husband, Dr. Harper Shannon; son, Dr. Ken Shannon; siblings, Ray Batemon and Nell Parker; and granddaughter Heather Hope Shannon.

Mrs. Elsie Shannon is survived by her daughter Grace Shannon Morgan (Jeffrey); granddaughters Rachel Shannon Riggan (Jordan) and Jessica Ann Oppert (Wilson); great-grandsons Ezekiel John and Isaiah David Oppert; sister-in-law Beverly Batemon; in addition to multiple nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Elsie will be held Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, AL 35901. A funeral service will occur Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 12:30 PM, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, AL 35901. A graveside service will occur Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Elmwood Cemetery, 600 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Birmingham, AL