In Memory of

Addie

Veola

Elwood

(Martin)

Obituary for Addie Veola Elwood (Martin)

.Addie Veola Elwood was born in the rural community of East Hamilton, TX on August 6, 1929 to the proud parents of Belzora (Moore) Martin and Thomas Martin. The family moved to Chicago, IL in the summer of 1945. Addie had fond memories of her childhood with her little brother Alvis (he preceded her in death) She graduated from Phillip’s High School on the south side of Chicago with honors in 1948; she was an honor student throughout her school years.
She met and married Louis Elwood December 18, 1948. The family settled in Robbins, IL with their growing family. They had six children Beyeric, Lynn Gerard, Anthony Dale, Barney Deporis, Iris Anne, and Anita Anne. This is how our mother called our names when she meant business, with our middle names.
Addie was a proud single parent after she divorced in 1967. She was employed by the government for 20 years. She worked for Science Research, National railroad Adjustment Board, Selective Services, and the IRS. To make ends meet she took on part-time work for H&R Block which launched her own part-time tax preparation service. She retired from the IRS in 1991.
She had a heart of gold with a mild gentle spirit. She always loved God and wanted to please him. At the age of six she was baptized in the creek. Always seeking righteousness she joined Holy Angels Catholic Church after she moved to Robbins, IL. Finally, she became a member of Great Hope Baptist Church where she served cheerfully for over 30 years. She was someone they could depend on. She held various positions: missionary, Pastor’s Aide Secretary, and nurse Board Treasurer.
She always sought to better herself and the world around her. She gave to various charities not just monetarily, but she gave them her time, always there to lend a helping hand. She was a member of Operation Push, Precinct Captain for The Better Government of Robbins, IL, Vice President PTA at Kellar Elementary School, PTA member Eisenhower High School, Blue island, IL, Golden Age Senior Club member where she had some of her fondest memories. She loved to talk about her travels and adventures with the Golden Club.
Addie was a people person and she loved her family dearly. She cared for her mother, son, and cousin until their deaths. She aspired to be a real estate agent but she put her dreams to the side to care for her family. We will miss her kind, gentle-spirit greatly.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory three sons: Beyeric, Anthony, and Barney Elwood; two daughters iris (Rickey Pruitt) Littlejohn and Anita Elwood; 13 grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; her favorite niece Mary Martin; four nephews Alvis, Michael, Robert, and Marty Martin; and many friends and acquaintances.
Preceding her in death was her son Lynn Elwood; mother and father Belzora and Thomas Martin; brother Alvis Martin; and her cousin Betty Martin.
Funeral services will be held noon Friday March 20, 2015 at Oakland Cemetery and Mausoleum. Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service.