Gaye Elissa Elder, 82, of Alapaha passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie.
Born June 20, 1943, in Chattahoochee, Florida, Ms. Elder was the daughter of the late Dudley O. Elder, Sr. and Zola Mae Peacock Elder. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall E. Smith; and one brother, Dudley O. Elder, Jr.
Ms. Elder received her master’s degree from Florida State and her Ph.D. degree from the University of Tennessee. Before retiring, she was a professor at ABAC. She was very accomplished in beading, looming, jewelry, macrame, and knitting. Because of her love for these projects, she traveled to many places in the United States to attend conferences. She loved her cat, Wilson.
Ms. Elder is survived by one brother, Tim Elder of Micco, Florida.