Birth date: Feb 8, 1967 Death date: Sep 13, 2024
Elma Neethling, 57, of Huntersville NC peacefully passed away on September 13th 2024 at the Hospice facility in Kannapolis NC. She was preceded in death by her father Jacobus Johannes Retief Uys and her brothers Gideon Retief Uys Read Obituary
I lived with Ghitte for two years and it was always a special time having Elma join us in the house. She was such a joy to be around, and as you can see- the animals absolutely loved her. Whether it was her fresh South African biscuits (or rusks) or green juice, Elma was always putting her touch in the kitchen and making sure we ate good. I loved having her around, going to pure barre classes with her, or having deep conversations about important global topics. Most importantly, I loved watching her and Ghitte interact and seeing the genuine relationship they carried. Elma will be greatly missed, and I am so blessed to say I was able to meet her.
Dear Chris and Ghitte, we are so glad to have known Elma as a friend. Marilyn and I are thankful that he put us together with you in our Good Shepherd Life Group. We pray for God's comfort for you.
Ek was n volle 14 jaar oud toe ek by Elma begin oefen het, sy was nie net n amazing coach nie maar ook daai ouer suster met wie ek oor ander dinge kon praat. Daar was baie gelag en ook teleurstellings. Met my eerste 2M sprong het sy die oorsponklike "scorecard" gaan "leen" en vir my gegee! Daar is nie genoeg woorde om vir alles net dankie te se nie.
Pieter vd walt
I first met Elma as a young girl with dreams of becoming a sports presenter. At the time, I was a producer at SABC working on *Circle of Sport*, and I was immediately impressed by her incredible knowledge of sports. The only issue was that she had a noticeable twitch in her eyes. But she confidently said, "Give me a chance, I will never twitch on air," and that's exactly what she did—the rest is history.
What a profound loss of an extraordinary mind. Elma had a memory that held the entire history of sports within it—truly remarkable. She was always the same, friendly and kind person, dedicated to seeing things through.
I remember working with her when she was at the end of her pregnancy with Ghita, compiling the yearly sports highlights for SABC. There was no Google back then—just stacks of newspapers. We sat on the floor for days at end, going through hundreds of them, only to confirm what she already knew by heart. She was amazing.
Visiting her at home was always great and also helped lose a few pounds!!! Elma was all about preparing the healthiest of foods, and Ghita and I would have to sneak off to find a waffle and ice cream when we could. Elma will be deeply missed as a colleague, friend, mother, and Chris’s devoted wife.
It was a privilege and a joy to call her my friend and colleague. From Gert and Tarina
My liefste Elma
Woorde kan nie beskryf hoe ek jou mis nie. Ons oggend texts net om te hoor hoe dit gaan en mekaar ‘n mooi dag toe te wens.
Ek hoor jou stem. Elke vertrek in ons huis het ‘n ietsie van jou - al die geskenkies wat jy altyd met soveel sorg uitgekies het en gegee het, is oral om my.
Jou wonderlike kos. Al die glasbotteltjies vol van die heerlikste bestanddele wat jy voorberei het vir wanneer julle kom kuier, dat ons lekker kan saamkook.
Hoe maklik mens jou kan ophelder deur net te vra hoe dit met Ghitte of Chickles gaan.
Daar was niemand vir wie jy liewer was as Chris en Ghitte nie. Wanneer hulle by jou was, het niks saakgemaak nie. Jy was op jou gelukkigste. Tot op die einde.
Die Here het jou beeldskoon geskape - binne en buite, en jou hart het aan Hom behoort. Sy Naam het in elkeen van ons duisende gesprekke voorgekom.
Ek gaan jou so mis Elma en sien uit na die dag wat ons weer saam gaan “pret” hê - ‘n woordjie wat jy so dikwels gebruik het.
Jou ewige vriendin,
Merle
We will not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God wii bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
1 Thess 4:13b-14
We’ve not been sisters by birth but we knew from the start that God put us together to be sisters-at-heart.
Painting credit: Maria (South Africa)
Love you always 💕🌸
