Elwyn Ewer
COLUMBIA — Elwyn Ewer of Columbia died Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at Lenoir Woods Lutheran Senior Services. She was 95.
She was born on July 6, 1915, in Mount Vernon, Mo., to Homer and Haddie Smith.
Mrs. Ewer attended Missouri State Teachers College in Springfield, where she majored in music and voice.
She married William Rigsby, a Carnation Milk Company employee, in 1936. She later assisted him with his warehouse and cold storage business in Tupelo, Miss., until his death in 1966.
Mrs. Ewer was choir director and organist at First Christian Church in Tupelo, Miss., It was there that she met Earl C. Ewer, with whom she shared her love of music. They married in 1968.
Mrs. Ewer and her husband moved to Springfield in 1969, where she became involved with the Daughters of the American Revolution and continued to nurture her love of music and perform for many local organizations.
In 1975, the Ewers relocated to a home at Lenoir Woods Lutheran Senior Services in Columbia. Both were active in the music community at the home and sang in the choirs at First Christian Church and the MU Choral Union.
Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Spier and husband, Rob, of Columbia, and Janice Marie-Gallof and husband, Sandy, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a granddaughter, Roberta McCard, and husband, Henry, of Winter Haven, Fla.; and a great-granddaughter, Rachel Woodworth, of Fort Myers, Fla.
Mrs. Ewer’s brother, Joseph Smith, and stepsister, Wilma Hall, died earlier.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. July 21 at Epple Chapel at Lenoir Woods Lutheran Senior Services, 3710 Lenoir St.
Memorial contributions can be made to Lutheran Senior Services at Lenoir Woods, 3710 Lenoir St., Columbia, MO 65201.
