Gladys Lucille Eldridge

Gladys Lucille Eldridge, 75, departed this earthly world on Saturday, November 29th, at her home in Elliston, VA.

Born on June 3, 1950, in Norton, VA, she is the daughter of the late Robert and Gladys Gardner.

Lou, as many would come to know her, was a retired nurse of 50 years. In addition to her career as a caregiver, she still managed to spend quality time with family and friends. She was a lover of all animals and was very involved in cat rescue and a local Trap-Neuter-Return organization for community cats in Southwest Virginia.

After graduating from Oceana High School in 1968, she went on to study at McDowell Technical Community College and graduated in 1975 with a degree in nursing.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Linzie “Butch” Eldridge and survived by her sons, Jerome Wheeler and his wife, Beth, of La Grange, NC and Alex Eldridge and his wife, Kathryn, of Salem, VA; two sisters, Janie Price of Matheny, WV and Linda Shortt and her husband, Ron, of Petersburg, VA; three brothers, Rick Gardner of Itman, WV, James Gardner of Petersburg, VA and Mike Gardner and his wife, Brenda, of Oceana, WV; four grandchildren, Austin Eldridge, Dubbie and Sarah Wheeler and Erika Kikola; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends; and her beloved cats, Tripod, Patty and George.

A private memorial service will be held by the family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in her memory to the following organization(s), both of which were very near and dear to her heart.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.