Zelda was a vibrant person who loved life and people.  She was an amazing cook, and enjoyed entertaining in their home.  She loved dressing up in all her sparkles, the more the better, and going to dinner with family and friends. She could fill a room with joy, showing all her children, grands and great-grands that they were dearly loved.  She knew her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and followed Him always until she joined Him in Heaven alongside her loving husband, Jim. 

Zelda Mae Thomas was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in her family home in Ellet, Ohio. 

She graduated from Ellet High school.  She met and dated James “Jim” Paul Eller, and they were married on June 23, 1956.  They bought their first home in Barberton, OH in 1959 and attended Covenant Baptist Church in Barberton where she taught children’s Sunday School and sang in the choir. 

She was a part of the community garden club for many years.  Zelda and Jim raised their two sons, Daniel and David in Barberton.  When the boys were in middle school they all began attending Akron Baptist Temple in Akron, Ohio. 

Once Jim retired in 1996, he and Zelda moved to Edgewater, Florida to a home close to the ocean where their family and friends could visit and spend many weeks playing at the beach.  They attended First Baptist, New Smyrna Beach where she sang in the choir.  She volunteered at the church’s Thrift Shop helping those in need in their community. 

She was a loving mother, caring for her sons, then encouraging them as they married, and then watching their children and grandchildren grow.  She and Jim always prayed for all of us, and we have all been blessed through their lives.  Their longevity in their marriage of 68 years is a legacy we can honor and emulate. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Velma Mae Sampson Thomas, her sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Chuck Ploss, and loving husband, Jim who passed away January 18, 2025.

She is survived by her sons, Dan (Brenda) Eller and David (Dawn) Eller.  She so enjoyed her time with her much loved grandchildren, Brady (Britney) Eller, Tenille Phillips-Wetzler, Rachel (Chase) Carroll, Seth (Becky) Eller, Alexis Eller and Rebekah Eller, and her great-granchildren  Lily Phillips, Brooklyn Eller, Linnea Wetzler, Brienna Eller, Piper Eller, Charlie Ann Carroll, Zion Eller, Elliot Carroll, Elah Eller, Bryce Eller, and 2 babies on the way.

The family will receive family and friends at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, 406 S Orange St., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 10 AM.  Funeral service to follow at 10:30AM.  Burial will be at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens, 3001 S. Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater, FL 32141 immediately following the service.

Flowers can be received at the Settle-Wilder Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army would be appreciated.    https://give.salvationarmyusa.org