Eleanor Sigmon Elium

Eleanor Sigmon Elium passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025, at the Croasdaile Village Pavilion in Durham, NC. Born to Nellie and Adrian Sigmon on November 7, 1933, in Winston-Salem, NC, she was the youngest of seven children. Eleanor spent her early years living on the Reynolda Estate, where her father was the dairyman. In August of 1954 she married Robert W. Elium of Salisbury, NC.

She was predeceased by her six siblings and her daughter, Mary Jo Woods. Eleanor is survived by her devoted husband, Robert (Bob) Elium, and their remaining children: Donna Elium, Sandra Elium and Robert (Marie) Elium Jr., and son-in-law Tom Woods. She is also survived by five grandchildren—Jacob (Jennifer) Elium, Elizabeth Elium, Alex (Raphaela) Woods, Andrew Woods, and Emory Woods—and three great-grandchildren: Jack and Grant Elium and George Woods, along with numerous nieces and nephews who cherished her presence in their lives.

An excellent homemaker, Eleanor was a devoted mother to her four children, managing the household throughout the years while her husband worked an unpredictable schedule with the railroad. She taught her children to be self-sufficient and responsible.

Eleanor enjoyed working in the yard and gardening, a skill she learned from her father. She was an avid shopper at yard sales and thrift stores, often bringing home old pieces of furniture to refinish and restore. An enthusiastic reader, she would pick up anything that piqued her interest. Once she discovered the wonders of the iPad, she loved playing Words with Friends with anyone she could connect with. Eleanor and Bob were charter members of the Dogwood Chapter of the Antique Hudson Automobile Club, where they enjoyed attending car shows and getting to know other club members.

A long-time member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Va., Eleanor volunteered tirelessly in the church gardens. She coordinated the church’s Meals on Wheels program, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Merry Martha's service group.

Always ready to assist anyone in need—whether a sibling, mother-in-law, or fellow church member—she never sought recognition for her kindness; helping others was simply part of her nature.

A memorial service will be held on May 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. in the Few Chapel at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Pkwy, Durham, NC, with visitation immediately following the service.

The family would like to thank the staff at Croasdaile Village and Duke Hospice for their care and support during this time. They also extend their gratitude to their wonderful friends at Croasdaile and Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Chestnut Hill UMC (4660 Fort Ave., Lynchburg, VA, 24502), your local Meals on Wheels program, or a charity of your choice.