The Eller Chronicles

ELLER
ANNAPOLIS, MD. - Rear Admiral -Ernest McNeill Eller, U.S. Navy (Ret.) passed away, at the age of 89, on July 30, 1992 in his home at 2 Kent Road-Wardour, Annapolis, Maryland. The Admiral was born in Marion, Virginia, but grew up in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He attended N.C. State College before entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1921 and graduated with the Class of 1925. In World War II, he directed training of anti-aircraft gunners and was a member of the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He served in numerous combat operations aboard the aircraft carrier U. S. S. SARATOGA and as Commander of the Attack Transport U. S. S. CLAY. In 1950 he served as Commander of the U.S. Navy Mid-East Force with Headquarters in Bahrain and was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1954. From 1956 until his retirement in 1970, Admiral Eller was Director of Naval History and Curator for the Department of the Navy at the Naval Historic :Center in Washington, D.C. The in Library at this Center is named his honor.

He is also the author of numerous works on the history of the U.S. Navy and donated his entire library of over 2,000 books and rare volumes to the East Carolina University School of Maritime History and Underwater Research in Greenville, N.C. In April of 1991, The Maritime History Annex of this School was name in his honor. A Fellowship in Naval History was also established there in his name. Admiral Eller was a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Army-Navy Club of Washington, D.C., The Virginia Historical Society and the Rotary Club of Annapolis. He is survived by his wife, Agnes Pfohl Eller, a native of Winston-Salem, of their home in Annapolis, Md.; two sons, Dr. Peter M. Eller of Cincinnati, Ohio and John C. Eller of Coronado, California and six grandchildren. A Memorial Service for Admiral Eller was held August 3 in the Naval Academy Mitcher Hall All Faith Chapel. Donations in memory of Admiral Eller can be made to the Ernest M. Eller Fellowship in Naval History, c/o East Carolina University Foundation, Taylor-Slaughter Streets, Greenville, NC 27858-4353

HAYESVILLE - Alvin Burrell Eller, 74, of Route 1, died Saturday, Oct. 10, in a Hiawassee, Ga., hospital. . A native of Clay County, he was a retired carpenter. He was a son of the late Alfred and Effie Ledford Eller. Surviving are his wife, Irene Nicholson Eller; a son, Jim Eller of Roswell, Ga.; three daughters, Linda Gilbertson of Jonesboro, Ga., Carolyn Moss of Snellville, Ga.,

and Diane Pasley of Statham, Ga.; a brother, Odus Eller of Hayesville; four sisters, Eula Moffitt, Cora Galloway, Kate Long and Norma Anderson, all of Hayesville; and four grandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Townson Rose Funeral Home chapel. The Revs. Clark Moss and Ronal Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Philadelphia Cemetery in Clay County.

Mary Dorothea (Eller) Clamp of Colorado Springs died at a local hospital Oct. 9, 1992, at the age of 72. She was born May 1, 1920, in Butte, Mont., to Cleveland and Carrie (Hansen) Eller. Mrs. Clamp was a private business woman and a homemakers She was active in Unity Church work, the mental retardation program and environmental protection concerns. She moved to Colorado Springs from Tennessee Ridge, Tenn., in 1936 and graduated from Colorado Springs High School (now Palmer High) with the class of 1940. She was married May 16, 1941, to George V. Clamp, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include a son: Jim W. (Victoria) Clamp, Colorado Springs; two daughters: Clara Susan (Tommy) Stewart, Atlanta, Ga.; Vickie Lynn Clamp, Colorado Springs; two brothers: Eugene Eller, Villa Grove; Glenn Eller Sr., Colorado Springs; two sister: Betty Russelavage, Colorado Springs; Mabel O'Hara, Tucson, Ariz.;

grandchildren: Carl Clamp; Mary Louise (Joe) Ellert; George and Amanda McDermith; and one great-granddaughter: Clara Ellert.

Visitation is being held at the Evergreen Funeral Home, Fountain and Union Blvd., Colorado Springs. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church-United Church of Christ, North Tejon and St.Vrain streets, Colorado Springs, with the Rev. James White and the Rev. Tom Skalitzky officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, 1001 S. Hancock Ave., immediately following the service.

Tax deductible memorial contributions may be sent to Martin Luther Home Society, c/o Hampton House, 5376 Tomah Dr., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80918.

ROBBINSVILLE Evelyn Buchanan, 64, of Route 3, died Friday, Aug. 14, in a Chapel Hill hospital. A native of Graham County, Buchanan was a retired secretary to the Graham County School Superintendent. She was the daughter of the late Hobert and Fannie Jones Eller. She is survived by her husband, Gudger Buchanan; two sons, James Buchanan and Gary Buchanan of Robbinsville; two brothers, Clifton Eller of Palmer, Alaska and Dewey Eller

of Asheville; sister, Pauline Anderson of Dallas, N.C., and four grandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at New Hope Baptist Church, where she was a member. The Revs. Roger Milsaps, Jimmy Milsaps and Mickey Stewart officiating. Burial will be in Carver Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Townson-Smith Funeral Home, where the body will remain until 30 minutes before the service.

EVELYN ELLER BUCHANAN -
A NEW HEART

I am Evelyn Eller Buchanan, daughter of Fannie and Hobert Eller, born and raised in the Atoah Community of Graham County. I was in the first graduating class in Robbinville High School in 1947 that had to attend school for 12 years.

I married Gudger Buchanan, a Graham County native, on July 26, 1947. We have 2 son, James (b. 6-12-1948) and Gary (b. 7-15-1957), 2 grandsons, Chip (b.3-5-1971) and Kris (b. 2-19-1974) 2 granddaughters, Shonda (b. 11-18-1979 and Cheset, (b. 10-24-1982).

After my sons started to school I begun working as a secretary to Principal Tom Carpenter and was treasurer for the Robbinsville Elementary School. Later, I worked in the Clerk of Court's office for O. W. Hooper, Jr. and from this job I became the secretary to Modeal Walsh, Superintendent of Graham Co. schools. I was working in this position when I suffered my first heart attack in 1986 that forced me into early retirement on disability. I did okay until 1989 and I was in and out of C. J. Harris Hospital in Sylva, N. C. 18 times, always in ICU, until my doctors could do no more for me. Dr. R. J. Adams and Dr. Earl Haddock suggested I consider a heart transplant. I decided if I wanted to live

I'd have to undergo this operation. I was sent to the University Hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C. on June 6, 1990. 1 was there until July 26, 1990 and on my 43rd wedding anniversary I received the heart of a 26 year old male. I was in intensive care for several days, moved into a regular room, and in just a few days I was discharged. My husband and I rented an apartment in Chapel Hill and lived there for a few months before I was allowed to return to my home in Graham County. I had to go back to the hospital often for heart biopsies, to be sure my body wasn't trying to reject the new heart. I can have this done in Asheville now but have to return to Chapel Hill for an annual physical.

I am doing great with my new heart and am thankful to be able to be at home with my family. I thank God every day for my wonderful blessings. Prayer changes things, just put your trust in God. He loves us, gave His only Son for us, don't leave Him out of your life. Submitted by Evelyn E. Buchanan. Personal Story


Evelyn Eller Buchanan