Army Vet Thomas 'Tom' Elsner, 80, Dies

Thomas Felton 'Tom' Elsner, 80 of Lithia Springs, passed away Saturday, Nov. 9. He was born in Austell on Dec. 23, 1932 to the late Alice Pearl Carson Elsner and the late Fred C. Elsner, Sr. He worked as an insurance agent for American National Insurance Company for 43 years and was a Veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Douglasville where he served as a deacon for more than 20 years.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Weber; brothers, Edmond Elsner, Willie Elsner, Fred Elsner, Jr., and Walter R. Elsner.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56  years, Shirley Annette Tripp Elsner; daughters and their spouses, Darlene Swafford of Lithia Springs, Donna and Tracy Kidd of Lithia Springs, Dinah and Devin Griffin of Powder Springs, Tommy and Nancy Elsner, Jr. of Lithia Springs; sister, Helen Thrasher of Mableton; brothers and their spouses, Johnny and Francine Elsner of Carnesville, Jessie and Delores Elsner of Kennesaw, Virgil and Carolyn Elsner of Mableton; sister-in-law, Katherine Elsner;  9 grandchildren,  Joshua Swafford, Tiffany and Nathan Mitchell, Tabitha Kidd, Jessie and Billy Shuman, Zack Kidd, Heather Taylor, Heidi Taylor, Brooke Elsner, Bethany Elsner;  5 great grandchildren, Madison Swafford, Rylee Mitchell, Libby Mitchell, Presley Kidd and Kayleigh Shuman.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.  at Liberty Baptist Church, 1651 S. Burnt Hickory Road, Douglasville, with Reverend Terry Marbut officiating. Ronnie Burton, David Tripp, Zack Kidd, Nathan Mitchell, Trevor Freeman, Mike Taylor, and Billy Shuman will be serving as pallbearers.  Lewis Merritt, Presley Kidd and Josh Swafford serving as honorary pallbearers. Interment will follow in Mozley Memorial Gardens, 3180 S. Sweetwater Road, Lithia Springs.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

You may share your thoughts and memories in the online guestbook at www.hightowersmemorial.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hightower’s Memorial Chapel and Cremation Service, Douglasville, 770-489-2818.