Elender W. Gist

Elender Wright Gist, previously of Chicago and longtime resident of Forest Park, died on June 26, 2019. Elender received her formal education in the Chicago Public School system, she attended Fenger High School and Chicago Teacher's College from 1960 to 1962 majoring in mathematics.
She was predeceased by her parents Loron Leon and Thelma Elender Wright of Chicago, IL and her sister Lorene Janice Wallace
Elender Wright Gist worked at Western Electric Company for six years. She found her calling when she joined the Cook County Sheriff Department in 1978. She took her duties very seriously, she enjoyed the work, her co-workers, especially with her partner Jesse James of seven years, before her retirement as a Correctional Officer with CCDOC Transportation Unit in 2002.
After Elender retired in 2002 she continued to be active and she was a regular member of the CCDOC Sheriff's retirees group, they met monthly for breakfast and meetings. She served as president of the Lathrop Condominium Association being the strongest voice for having the parking lot repaved. She enjoyed league bowling in her earlier years and was an avid traveler, continuing to do so with senior groups of friends and family.
Elender was a faithful member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church of Chicago for many years and then joined St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Forest Park, IL. She was also a very involved member serving on the finance committee, helping with the food pantry, along with attending church service and Bible study faithfully.

She was a no-nonsense lady with a heart of gold. Her natural characteristics of hard work, loyalty, strong ethics, servanthood combined with her unchanging faith made her an indelible mark that can't be forgotten.

Elender leaves to cherish her memory: son, Everett (Temple) Gist of South Carolina; sister, Avis Wright of Chicago, IL; Grandchildren, Delvon Jacobs of Fayetville, NC; Eric Gist of Orlando, FL; Cameron Gist of Irmo, SC; and Tempess Gist of Elgin, SC. Sister/Friends: Eva Henry of Markham, IL; Mildred Barns of Chicago, IL; and Verne Mines of Forest Park, IL. God Daughters, Phileshia Mooney of San Deigo, CA, Thyesha (Bill) McCline of Markham, IL and Chelsea (Taylor) Evans of Mattson, IL; Special nephew: Gabriel Jenkins of Forest Park, IL and Special niece: Therese (Dallis) Anderson of Summit, IL and family and friends too many to name.
Services will be held on Sat, July 6, 2019 at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130

Visitation: 10:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.
Burial: Private

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