Gloria Lee Cousins Elder, who died at age 70 in Aurora on June 7, entered life nicknamed “Wee-Baby” when she was born prematurely and exited known as “Big Mama,” the title bestowed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was born in Memphis, Tenn., on Valentine’s Day 1936. She grew up into a confident, pragmatic and outgoing young woman who routinely initiated conversations with strangers.
Looking over produce in the grocery store or running other errands, she often turned to other shoppers with a comment that provoked hilarious conversations. Occasionally, her seven children wished their mother were less gregarious. Years later, as adults, they appreciated her knack for coaxing smiles and stories from bystanders.
At age 14, she eloped to Arkansas to marry her 17-year- old boyfriend, James Elder, a preacher. James Elder led churches in Tennessee, Missouri and Colorado. His wife divided her time among working as a nurse, raising her children and helping her husband at church.
As her children went out on their own, she became increasingly involved at church, leading women’s Bible-study groups and teaching Sunday school. Members of the congregation suggested that she would make a good preacher, and Elder began her formal theological training.
In 1983, James Elder ordained his wife as a licensed minister at Greater Beacon Light Church in Colorado Springs.
Her preaching style reflected her personality: forceful, direct, witty and unafraid to paraphrase, most famously for announcing that the Bible verses describing sinners “gnashing their teeth” meant that the unfortunates were cussing.
She believed firmly that, as she frequently said, “God helps those who help themselves,” and pointed to Bible verses illustrating that adage.
She frequently cited the John 5 Scripture about a crippled man who complains to Jesus that nobody would help him into a curative pool. She considered the man a whiner who needed a firm hand as much as he needed to be healed of an infirm body.
She translated the reply from Jesus – “Rise, take thy bed and walk” – as a tactful suggestion to take initiative.
“Long as he lay there in self- pity and cryin’, he didn’t get healed,” Elder concluded. “He needed a little push.”
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Colorado Springs.
Survivors include daughters Elaine “Rose” Thomas and Savannah Marie Jackson, both of Colorado Springs, Gloria Jean “Bonnie” Elder of Aurora, and Angela Renee Chester and Betty Janiece Elder, both of Glen Burnie, Md.; sons James Elder III of Orange Park, Fla., and John Anthony Elder of Colorado Springs; sisters Betty Somerville of Colorado Springs and Charlene Tuggle of Ladue, Mo.; brother Keith Cousins of Los Angeles; 12 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.
One brother and one sister preceded her in death.
Staff writer Claire Martin can be reached at 303-820-1477 or cmartin@denverpost.com.
