Elsie Murdock Leader

Elsie Ruth Murdock was the first baby born in the Kosciusko, MS hospital on January first, 1928.  For this honor her parents were awarded a gift of $5.00 After finishing high school in Kosciusko, MS, she went on to business school in Jackson MS.  She was employed as a secretary at the Clarion Ledger newspaper in Jackson, MS, the American Sugar company in New Orleans, LA, DuPont Construction in Aiken, SC, and the Atomic Energy Commission in Aiken, SC. She met Douglas Leader at a square dance in 1953 and they were married in October, 1954. She retired from secretarial work in 1955 to become a full time mother and homemaker.  Elsie was an active member of St. John’s United Methodist Church for over sixty years.   She was active in the Town & Country club, the Republican Women, the Four Seasons Garden Club the American Contract Bridge League, and a number of local bridge clubs.  She enjoyed traveling and has been on over fifty cruises on rivers and oceans around the world.  When not traveling she enjoyed going to theatrical productions and classical music concerts.  Although she enjoyed travel, clubs and concerts, her greatest pleasure was watching her children and grandchildren grow into adulthood.  Elsie received excellent loving care during her 10-month illness from her friend and caregiver Tammy Mitchell. She is survived by her husband, Douglas Leader; one sister, Margaret Martin of Lufkin, TX; one son, Donald Leader of Aiken, SC; one daughter, Barbara Kerley of Los Alamos, NM; and two grandchildren, Rachel Myers and Cameron Kerley of Columbia, SC.  A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM Sunday, February 26, 2017 at St. John’s United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tim McLendon and the Rev. Nancy Reed officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service in Ward Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St., NW, Aiken, SC 29801. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Mrs. Leader’s online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elsie Murdock Leader, please visit our flower store.