MAE FRANCES McELROY'S INCREDIBLE LIFE JOURNEY

Mrs. Mae Frances (Hill) McElroy, 88, of Lockesburg, Arkansas, transitioned peacefully, from this life on Friday, July 7, 2023.

She was born on September 10, 1934, in Mineral Springs, Arkansas, to Willie Cardell and Alice (Thompson) Hill. She was the sixth of twelve children. Mae attended Childress High School in Nashville, Arkansas. She left school during her junior year, and later obtained her GED.

When Mae left school, she married the love of her life, Mr. Otis James (O.J.) McElroy, and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. To this union, five amazing children were born: Marie, James, Charles, Debra, and Anthony. Eventually, they all returned to Arkansas.

During her lifetime, Mae worked in the laundry department at De Queen General Hospital. While in her 70's, she took computer classes and purchased a computer so she could communicate online with her family members. Her most important and rewarding job, however, was that of a homemaker, wife, and mother.

She was an avid hobbyist and enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, landscaping, shopping, singing, reading the Bible, traveling, participating on the prayer line, and being with her family. She enjoyed cooking for her family and made the best blackberry cobbler! She loved to plant flowers and shrubs in her yard. Her rose bushes continue to bloom! She sang in the choir and was the church treasurer during her membership at New Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove community. She was often complimented on her style of dress, especially for the many hats or "crowns" that she wore. She enjoyed traveling to many places including California, Virginia, New York, Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas! She was also a huge basketball fan! She loved watching and talking about all the NBA games. She will also be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor! She had an infectious laugh! She could make you laugh at almost anything, and when she got "tickled," it was hard for her to stop!

Mae will be remembered as a loving and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and devoted Christian. She began her spiritual journey at an early age. She was a member of Hickory Grove Church of God in Christ, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. She later joined the New Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove Community. She subsequently returned to Hickory Grove Church of God in Christ where she worshipped with her father, Willie Hill, until the Lord called him home. She then became a member of Williams Memorial Church of God in Christ in Nashville, Arkansas, where she was a Mother of the church.

Mae was predeceased by her husband of fifty-three years, Otis James McElroy; her son, James Otis McElroy; her parents, Willie and Alice Hill; her brothers Lee Artis Hill, Willie Hill, Jr., and Nathaniel Hill; her sisters Leola McGee, Alliece Burns, Annette Archie Rhodes, and Virginia Burns; sons-in-law Irvy Lee Bacy and Ramon Cortez Butler, Jr.; and Granddaughter Rolona Nell Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children; Lois Marie McElroy Bacy, Charles Ray McElroy (Tisha), Debra Jean McElroy Butler and Anthony Wayne McElroy; daughter-in-law Marilyn Shelley McElroy; her sisters, Evangelist Pauline Gentry, Rev. Dr. Charlene Hogan, Mother Chrystell Draper and Mother Maxcine Thomas; special "sister-cousins" Leola Wilkerson, Jimmie White, Peggy Wynn and Betty Lewis.

Mae will be sorely missed by her grandchildren; Telisa Shelley, James Otis (Jamie) McElroy, Jr., Shelley McElroy Cheridor, Toska Scott, Alesha McElroy, Marcus McElroy, Nicole Butler, Michelle Butler; nineteen great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

There will be a general viewing on Friday, July 21st, 2023, from 12:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., at Chandler Funeral Home in De Queen, Arkansas.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in her honor on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Williams Memorial Church of God in Christ in Nashville, Arkansas with Superintendent Donald Vaughn officiating. The viewing will be from 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., with services beginning at 11:00 A.M.

Interment will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery under the auspices of Chandler Funeral Home. Afterward, there will be a repast at the New Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove Community.

The family of Mother Mae Frances McElroy would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the many acts of kindness as evidenced in your thoughts, deeds, and prayers.

You may leave a condolence online at www.chandlerfuneral.com.

Acknowledgements and Resolutions can be faxed to (870) 642-3293, or emailed to tannerb@chandlerfuneral.com.