Elma Jeanette Gaither, longtime Cushing resident, passed from this life on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at the age of 86.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, March 15, 2022, at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend James Coffelt officiating.  Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Monday, March 14, 2022, from 10:00AM to 8:00PM at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home.

Elma was born on December 11, 1935, to Elgin and Mary (Galloway) Shepherd in Avery, OK.  She grew up in Avery and attended grade school at Mt. Ayr, then graduating from Agra High School in 1952.  Elma married the love of her life, Olen Gaither, on April 2, 1955, in Cushing, OK.  They had one child, Freddy.  They spent 56 loving years of marriage before his passing in 2011.

After high school, Elma worked in a restaurant for a couple of years, before taking a job at Southwestern Bell Company, working there for multiple years.  She pursued a secretarial career, working at Eldon Cates Insurance Agency and later Mark Lauderdale Insurance Agency before retiring.  In her free time, Elma loved spending time with her family making memories.  She would take trips up to Branson with family and friends, enjoying the entertainment.  Elma was very active in the kitchen, making sure her family and friends never left with an empty stomach and plenty of leftovers.

Elma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  She will be missed by all.

Elma is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Olen Gaither; both parents, two brothers, Roy Shepherd and Melvin Shepherd; three sisters, Ruth Howard, Benie Delores Bennett, and Evalyn Perceful.

Elma is survived by her son, Freddy Gaither and wife, Brenda of Cushing; two grandsons, Brant Gaither and wife Kim or Cushing, Dane Gaither and wife, Natalie of Broken Arrow, Tiffany Powell and husband Paul of Cushing, and David Gay and wife Anastasia of Bartlesville.  Elma is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Oklahoma Heart Association.