Elise Dearman Mapp

Elise Dearman Mapp
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road, Monroe

Elise Dearman Mapp, a long-time resident of Monroe, LA, passed away at Grace Home in Shreveport, LA, on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. Memorial services will held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2010, at Glenview Gardens Retirement Community, 4828 Medical Drive, Bossier City, LA, and at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church, 1201 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe, LA.
Elise was born in Forest, MS, on December 12, 1917, to Eula Jane Nordan Dearman and Soloman Abner Dearman. While attending Blue Mountain College, she majored in Bible and Speech. On December 18, 1938, she married Marcus Buford Mapp, her high school sweetheart. They lived for 10 years in Starkville, MS, before moving back to Forest to open Mapp Florist and Gift Shop. In 1954 they moved to Monroe, LA.
At both Mississippi State University and the University of Louisiana, Monroe, Elise organized Presbyterian Student Groups and served as the Campus Christian Life Director for them. The Westminster House was a place where students lived, studied, and developed a deep Christian faith. She was counselor, confidante, teacher, and sometimes parent for these students and their friends. During this time, Elise also served on the faculty for youth conferences at both Mo-Ranch, TX, and Montreat, NC.
An avid reader, Elise amassed a library that was enjoyed by her family, friends, and Westminster students. As a reviewer for Doubleday Book Company, she shared her love of books with many civic and church groups in the area.
While in Monroe, Elise was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She served as an Elder, chaired the Ministries for Adult Education and Congregational Nurture, and taught both senior high and adult classes. For many of these classes, she developed the curriculum herself.
She was a charter member of North Monroe Hospital Auxiliary and served for three years as President. Her leadership afforded the funding for five full-time scholarships at the University for students in the field of health care.
Her talents and variety of interests led her to be an active participant in the Fort Miro Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Prairie des Canots Chapter of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, the Upper Louisiana Chapter of Daughters of Founders and Patriots, the Twentieth Century Book Club, Chapters AZ and R of P.E.O., Zeta Tau Alpha, and a Life Master of American Contract Bridge. She’s the author of a family cookbook, Treasure Tree.
In 2006, Elise moved to Bossier City, LA, to be near her son Andy and his family. She joined Broadmoor Presbyterian Church and was a positive voice for her friends at Glenview Gardens. In a letter to her Monroe friends, she described Glenview as a beautiful building, painted light yellow with white columns, surrounded with blooming plants, fountains, and porches with rocking chairs. She concluded, “I count my blessings every day.”
Elise was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Myrtice Doty and Marjorie Dearman, her brother William Dearman, her husband Marcus Mapp, her precious daughter Malise Mapp Russell, and son-in-law Edwin Russell. She is survived by her son Andrew Franklin Mapp, Sr. and his wife Dianne of Bossier City, LA, and her grandchildren Elise Mitchell and her husband Leon of Wister, OK, Tatum Russell and his wife Denise of Plano, TX, Andrew Mapp, Jr. and his wife Lisa of Cumming, GA, and Eason Mapp and his wife Tracy of Bossier City, LA. Her great grandchildren are Claire and Todd Mitchell, Lindsey and Marcus Russell, Lauren Mapp, Megan and Justin Gay, and Kathryn and Nicholas Mapp.
Memorial contributions may be made to Glenview Gardens Retirement Community, Bossier City, LA, Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, LA, First Presbyterian Church, Monroe, LA, or the American Cancer Society.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com