Erma Louise West

Sister Erma Louise West, age 80, was born to Bennie and Elizabeth Gardner on March 23, 1935. in Clarksville, TN. Erma passed away on August 31, 2015. She lived and worked in Louisville, KY for many years, working for both the city and federal government as a secretary. Sis. West moved to Toledo in 1967, where she worked at Owens Illinois, Inc. as a secretary. Her most notable employment was secretary at St. Paul Baptist Church for 25 years. She united with St. Paul in October of 1967 and served as secretary for the American Baptist Women and Circle of Love for many years. Just to name a few of Sis. West's favorite pastimes , she enjoyed spending time with her family, attending church, creative writing and following the news.

In addition to her parents, Erma was the widow of James T. West and she was preceded in death by her son, Arnold L. West in 1988, brothers; Prentice C. Gardner and Oscar G. Gardner, and her sister, Mary E. Page. Left to share her fond memories are her daughter, Tylene P. Hall of Toledo; sons; Kent L. (Dianne) Graves of Tucson, AZ and Phillipe L. (Tina) West of Jeffersonville,IN; brothers; Robert L. (Deborah) Gardner and Bennie J. Gardner, both of Toledo; sister; Ernestine (Harold) Watters, Esterine (Roy) Barker and Aretha (John) Bright all of Louisville, KY; 7 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; good friend, Russell Miller; lots of family and friends and best friend, Sis. Mary Brown.

The family will receive guests on Friday, September 11, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1502 N. Detroit Ave., Toledo, OH 43607. Funeral Services will begin in the church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Rev. James H. Willis, Officiant and Pastor.