By Adam Bell
abell@charlotteobserver.com

Elsie Chambers, believed to be Union County's oldest African-American resident, has died at age 105.

The Marshville resident died last Friday at Hospice of Monroe, according to Grier Funeral Service of Monroe. Burial was set for Piney Grove East Baptist Church Cemetery in Marshville.

The granddaughter of a slave, Chambers voted for Barack Obama during the last presidential election.

In a February interview with the Observer, Chambers recalled the prediction her father made to her when she was a girl: "I may be dead and gone, but we are going to have a black president before the end of time."

Chambers was a well-known local figure. In April, county commissioners honored her on her 105th birthday, declaring it Elsie Chambers Day. Flint Ridge Baptist Church of Marshville also honored Chambers as "the mother" of the church.

Chambers said she didn't have any secret to her longevity, but always liked to care for her family and cook for them. Sweet potato pie was a specialty of hers.

Chambers and her late husband, Joe, were married 25 years. She had no children, but was close to her numerous nieces and nephews.

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