Portrait of Elba Womack. IMB Photo

Elba Womack, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in the Caribbean, died March 5, 2026, in Ashland, Missouri. She was 97.  

Elba was born Feb. 2, 1929, in Fredericktown, Missouri, to the late John and Zoah Walker. She graduated from Fredericktown High School.  

On Nov. 8, 1946, Elba married Bill Womack. In April 1955, they moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where Bill went to college, and Elba worked as a bookkeeper and clerk. In August 1958, they had the opportunity to move to Bermuda and pastor a church in the islands. In 1965, after more than 7 years, they moved back to the U.S. so Bill could finish seminary and apply for foreign mission work.  

While seeking missionary appointment, Elba wrote, “I had never thought about serving God as a pastor’s wife in my youth. I wanted a Christian home in the community and to work in the church, but when God called us to serve him, it took a lot of praying for me to let go of family, friends, and home. I can’t say it has been easy going, but once we made the decision God did help us all the way.” 

In 1971, the International Mission Board appointed Bill and Elba missionaries to the Caribbean, where they served for 20 years. 

Elba was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, William Lloyd “Bill” Womack Sr. and her son, John Robert Womack.  

She is survived by her sons, William L. Womack Jr. (Patricia) of Woolridge, Missouri, and Timothy D. Womack (Tangie) of Richmond, Virginia; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  

Services will be held at a later date.  

Read an obituary here.