Elsie Mae Hughes Varner was born to Willie James Hughes and Elizabeth Edwards in Sylacauga, Alabama on April 18, 1936. She attended East Highland High School in Sylacauga, Alabama, she confessed Christ at an early age, the churches she attended were Good Hope Missionary Baptist, Early Rose Baptist, and Rising Star Baptist all in Sylacauga, Alabama. Before moving to Akron, Ohio, she was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Joe Denson Varner in March 1954. To this union seven children were born: Hector, Joe Jr., Gloria, Karl, Gayle, Gwynn, Gretta.

After moving to Akron, OH. she became a member of Bethel Baptist Church in east Akron, then changing her membership to The Peoples Baptist Church at 525 Vernon Odom Blvd. Akron, OH. where she served in the Senior Choir, Missionary ministry, and the Kitchen ministry. She remained a faithful member for 50 years until the Lord called her home on October 17, 2025.

She worked various jobs through the years selling Kirby Vacuum cleaners, W.J. Ruscoe Co., cleaning in private homes and offices buildings, and working in school cafeterias at breakfast and lunchtime in the Akron Public Schools.

Mom was a wonderful cook, cooking for nine people in the house and later adding grandchildren after grandchildren especially for holidays, July 4^th, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She loved engaging in family gatherings with our aunts and uncles and her nieces and nephews as we grew up. She made sure that her children knew their relatives, especially our grandparents, great aunts, and uncles. She loved listening to gospel music, talking to family and church family friends on the phone. Mom loved and enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Willie James Hughes, Elizabeth Edwards Underwood, husband Joe D. Varner Sr, daughter, Gretta, son Karl, grandchildren Tyrell, Tyraye, Elasjah,  brothers ; Henry (Lillie Mae) Teague Jr. and Willie James Hughes Jr., Fred Harold (Earldine) Underwood,  sisters, Eloise Teague Parker, Alice Hughes (Rudolph) Brown  Cary Edna Hughes (James) Jackson, Rosa Bud Hughes (Edward) Smith, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; Robert (Evelyn) Varner Jr., Carvin (Rebecca) Varner, Harold (Sarah) Varner, Clyde (Ruth) Varner, James (Irene) Varner, Eloise Varner, William Varner, Robert Varner Jr., Margaret Averitt, Lula Mae (Leon) Glen, Barbara (O.V.) Wallace, LaVonia Robertson.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory sons Hector Varner, Joe Denson Varner Jr., daughters Deaconess Gloria (Deacon Charles) Preer, Gayle (Michael) Adams, Gwynn Varner, daughter in law Joyce Varner all of Akron, OH. Brother Edward (Betty Faye) Underwood of Columbiana Alabama, brothers in law; Grady (Darolyn)Varner of Akron, Bill (Bonnie) Varner of Sylacauga, Alabama, Virgil (Ida) Varner of Detroit Michigan, Sisters in law; Ethel Varner, Maggie Varner, Frances Varner.

Grandchildren; Octivious (Jacqueline) Preer, Gloria Lasley,  Ronald Varner,  Maurice Varner, Tamijah (Demond) Barnes Tashira Varner, Tanishia (Dean) Bickley, Taishi Varner, Tacarra Varner, Tasjana Varner, Ashley Varner, Joseph (Nubia) Varner  Ceairra Varner, Andrea Cosgrove, Carmella Varner, Carla Varner, Karl Varner Jr., Carlissa (Marquet) Brooks, Gahan (Savar) Strong, Makasa Adams, Tywand Varner, Garcia Varner Brown, Ricco Varner, Teliah (Jackson) Smith, Lalitta Sharma, Tamarya Arnold.

Great Grandchildren: Marquerite, Deonna, DonGino, D’Juana, Daijlah, Dejmaoni, LaDonte, LaZarius, LaJoire, Tayliah, Patrick, Uzziah, TreMonte, Elliott, Kae’vieon, Keyshawn, Jaymijlah, Javyiare, Dezire, Dewayne, Kor’niya, Naveah, Kasi, Savanah, Aliyahna, Joseph IV, Jozarh, Eric, Cairo,  Briana, Taylor, Dillion, Sierra, Joziyah, Justice, Caydence, Caylonie, D’Ivry, D’Omare, Kartravion, KenNaisjia, Kenneth, A’Mariahna, Malaya, Stellen, Savhani, Saint, Sarai, Ma’Nasja, Kayion, Brian, Michael, Juelz, Alyssa, Tyrae’ah, Giana, Genesis, Marquis, Marquez, D’erre Jr., Eric, Dominic, Ezikiah, Gretta.

Great Great Grandchildren; Mariana, Mehlani, J’vion, Ji’yah, LaJorie Jr., Khyliah, Dream, Skylar, Raiyne, Renari, Marquell, and a host of family and friends.

Mom loved every one of her nieces and nephews, and dear cousins and Special dear friends Carol Greer, Elsie Whatley, Minister Cassandra Cook, Cheryl Burt.