Born: Feb. 27, 1918
Died: Feb. 21, 2013

Pearline E. McAbee-Elam, 94, of Niles, died at 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at the Hamilton Grove Communities near New Carlisle, Ind.

She was born on Feb. 27, 1918, in Alicia, Ark., to William Robert and Mary Ann (Brown) Whitmire. She has lived in Niles since 1954, coming from Arkansas. She was employed at Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles for many years prior to retirement.

Pearline was a member of the Church of Christ of Niles.

She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, and canning the produce, especially the green beans. She also enjoyed raising chickens.

On Aug. 27, 1938, in Hopewell, Ark., she married Mr. Linnie C. McAbee with whom she celebrated the 62nd anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Dec. 8, 2000. They were also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Glenda Sue McAbee, and a great-granddaughter, Sable.

Later, on Oct. 1, 2005, she married Glennis E. Elam, who preceded her in death on April 29, 2012. She was also preceded in death by a brother,
Bruce Whitmire, and sisters, Beulah Graham, Alice Lee, Gatha Decker, Grace Reese, Mildred Sherman and Geniva Konce.

Surviving family includes her children, Linda G. (and Kenneth) Grubbs and Donald Hugh (and Kathy) McAbee, both of Niles; nine grandchildren, Lisa Hemphill of Sumter, S.C., Scott Grubbs, of Alvaton, Ky., Gregory (and Kathy) McAbee of Westfield, Ind., Sarah (and Allen) Hinkel of Sterling, Va., Trisha (and Bill) Kromer, of Moyock, N.C., Linda (and Chris) Lingle of Clayton, Del., Jennifer (and Roger) Kirksey, Jacquline Kirkdorfer and Donna McAbee, all of Niles; 20 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and Pearline’s brother, William Whitmire, of Umatilla, Fla., and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Pearline McAbee-Elam will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. David Thompson of the Church of Christ officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Pearline may be made to the Church of Christ, 1515 Huron St., Niles, MI 49120. www.halbritterfunerals.com