Joan Elarbee James

Hancock, Maryland resident Joan Elarbee James, born December 18, 1946, and wife of Edward L. James, passed through death to life eternal on October 4, 2023, after a decade long struggle with Parkinsons Disease.

Joan walked with God for nearly seventy-seven years and then she was not, for God took her from us to Himself (Gen5) where she is now more alive than she has ever been (Rev21). She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith (2Tim4). Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Ps116). 

Joan was the daughter of her Tampa, Florida parents, Vernon Rath Elarbee and his Antwerp Belgian war bride Rosa Bral Elarbee, both of whom preceded her in death.

Joan is survived by her husband of nearly fifty-eight years Eddie; three children, Traci, Rob and Rebekah. She was blessed with nine grandchildren; Traci’s Lyn, Lydia, Anne and James; Rob’s Rosalila; and Rebekah’s Benjamin, Jeremiah, Daniel and Elijah; three Great-grandchildren; Lyn’s Caleb and Leah; and Lydia’s Isla. She is also survived by her brother Vernon R. Elarbee Jr. and his adult children Staci and Michael; cousin Chris Verheyen and her family in Antwerp Belgium; and a very special childhood and lifelong friend and Maid of Honor at our wedding, Van Rhodes Fried, who presently resides with her family in California.

We want to express our thanks to those dear brothers and sisters in the Lord who provided us with much needed prayers, support, encouragement and nourishment throughout these last very difficult months and weeks (Mt 25). We also appreciated the kindness of care givers Brenda Vann and cousin Ginny who lovingly prodded us to helpful and productive ends. A special thanks to the folks who are Hospice of Washington County, many of whom paid special attention to both my Joan’s and my needs.  And an extra special thanks to Hospice RN Tim and CNA Joel, who from their years of experience regularly provided helpful guidance and other much needed support services.  These folks always served us in a thoughtful, supportive way, which made it clear to us that God had prepared them to be with us for such a time as this (Est4)!

In lieu of flowers the family urges you to give gifts (2Cor9) in Joan’s memory to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave. Hagerstown MD 21742 or to her church family at Grace Christian Fellowship, 130 North Pennsylvania Ave., Hancock, MD., or to her other church family at Chattahoochee Presbyterian Church 425 South Main St., Chattahoochee, FL 32324 where we lived and served God’s people for some sixteen years. 

Further arrangements will be made at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grove-Rogowski Funeral Home, PA, 141 West Main St, Hancock, MD. Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.grovefh.com.