On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Elsie Florence Surles departed this life. She was the third of four children born to the late John Allen and Susie Holmes.  She was born on October 8, 1941 in Essex County, Virginia. She attended John Montague School in Essex County, Virginia and graduated from Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia.

After high school she married Russell Oscar Surles, Sr. and moved to Florida due to his military duty.  Together they had two sons, Russell Oscar Surles, Jr. and Roderickus Surles. Later in life she married Matthew Newsome and due to his military duty, moved the family to Germany.  When she came back to the United States, she moved to Newport News, Virginia.  Later she moved back to Richmond and eventually to Farmville, Virginia.

Elsie loved learning and was always taking classes to further her education. Her bookshelves at home always had the latest book to read. She loved reading and researching health issues. She blossomed as a teacher's assistant because she loved teaching children and watching them learn and grow. She worked at several schools and childcare centers.  Her emphasis was always on helping the student to learn. She was loved by her students and their parents.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, John Allen and Susie Holmes; oldest son, Russell Surles, Jr.; sister, Lucy Hall Griffin; brother, John Thomas Holmes, Sr.; sister-in-law, Carrie Rachel Holmes; nephew, Jerry Russell Schools, Sr.; nieces: Linda Cook Wallace, Dale Taylor, and Kimberly Brown-Hyman.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory: son, Roderickus (Rod) Surles (Patricia); two granddaughters, Caitlin Surles and Tess Dillard (Cody); two great grandsons, Sebastian and Zion Dillard; godson, Isaac Mendoza; partner, Herman Harding; sister, Alice Coleman; devoted niece, Faye L. Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

*Jerry, Faye, and Linda were all raised by their grandparents, John and Susie Holmes, at the same time the grandparents were raising their own daughters, including Elsie. So, Elsie always considered them her "brother" and "sisters," instead of just her nephew and nieces.*

Funeral services can be viewed online by selecting the "View Funeral Webcast" link below on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

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