Elmer W. Counce

Posted: Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:39 am

Elmer W. Counce, 90, of Martin died Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Martin with Rev. Ken Dodd and Rev. Bill Vaughan officiating. Burial was in East Side Cemetery in Martin with Murphy Funeral Home of Martin in charge of the arrangements.
Emory Bradley, Robert Counce, Mike Hawks, Brian Hudgins, Derrioll Davidson, Roger Vancleave, George Duncan and Jim Duncan served as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Harold Smith, Dr. Bob Duck, Dr. Hal Dodd, Carol Murphy, Al Smith, Dr. Mike Hinds, Tom Flowers, Wayne Chester, Bill Whitehurst, Jim Byford, Mack Thornton, Keith Kemp, Tim Burchem, Bob Hathcock, Bennie Castleman, Joey Melhorne, Brad Wilson, Jim Moore, David Moore and Ray Nabors.
Counce was born Nov. 17, 1921, son of the late James Ephraim and Emma Duncan Counce. He was a World War II United States Coast Guard veteran. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, a member of Martin City Lodge #551, member and founder of American Legion Post #69, members of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, 50-year member of F.F.A., honorary member of Alpha Zeta Fraternity and a member of First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Marilucile Dodd Counce of Martin; one son, Ben Counce of Caruthersville, Mo.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, J. E. Counce; and two sisters, Manetta Johnson and Martha Duncan.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church; Department of Soil Conservation; and Agriculture Department at University of Tennessee at Martin.
Online tributes may be left at murphyfuneralhome.net.

WCP 3.20.12