Elma Anna Tate Spradley, 74, Chanute, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.

Elma was born in Rocky Ford, Colo., on Sept. 27, 1936, the daughter of Paul Chester and Cleo Elena Gatton Tate.

She started working at McPikes Wholesale Drugs at the age of 16 and worked there until she was 19.

Elma was united in marriage to Richard Raymond Spradley on Feb. 26, 1955 in Kansas City, Mo. They moved to Chanute in 1968, where she worked at Kustom Electronics until 1984. She worked for Birdview Satelites for a year after that. He preceded her in death.

She attended Faith Bible Church in Chanute and enjoyed fishing, softball, playing cards and spending time with her family.

Elma is survived by her children, Stephen Spradley, Aurora, Mo., Pamella Bliss, Chanute, Donna Reeves, Chanute, Brian Spradley, Petrolia, and Michael Spradley, Centerville, Iowa; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a twin sister, Velma Mason; a sister, Claudene McMillan; and a brother, Paul Wayne Tate.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Richard; a great-grandson, Austin; two sisters, Lucille King and Norma Stephens; and a brother, Raymond Tate.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1 at the Faith Bible Church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel in Chanute.

Memorials in her name may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association and may be left with the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.