Bette Sue McElroy passed away peacefully at her home December 5, 2018. The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 9, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church of Gadsden, Reverend Sam Hayes and Reverend Ken Casey will officiate. The family will begin to receive friends prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. Collier-Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Services directing.
Mrs. McElroy was born in Gadsden, Alabama on October 27, 1934 to Dr. John Simeon and Ora Lucille Bobo. She graduated from Gadsden High School and then attended Stephens College before graduating from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Social Sorority. Mrs. McElroy taught private art lessons in her home in addition to teaching at Disque Middle School and Episcopal Day School. After retiring from teaching, Mrs. McElroy was an archivist at the Gadsden Public Library. Mrs. McElroy was the family genealogist and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. McElroy was a member of numerous civic and social clubs including Historic Society, Forrest Cemetery Board, Antiquarian Society, Gadsden Service Guild, Bal d’Or Dance Club, Regency Dance Club, Nine O’Clock Dance Club, and The Ten Island Three. Mrs. McElroy was a Master Gardener and loved working in her garden when she was not playing Mahjong with her dear friends or reading a book for her book club.
Mrs. McElroy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert George McElroy, Sr., parents, Dr. John Simeon and Ora Lucille Bobo, in-laws, Charles Bernard and Pauline Loner McElroy, sister, Billie Anne Bobo Price, brother-in-law, Dr. James Bernard McElroy, and nieces Anne Simmons and Victoria Eugenia McElroy.
She is survived by her children, Mary Ann Watkins and Robert George McElroy Jr., grandchildren, Madison Sara Watkins, Lance Patrick Watkins Jr., Simeon Wood McElroy, Lindsey Katherine McElroy, and Robert Reed McElroy, nieces; Mary Simmons (John) Ryle, Elizabeth Sharpe McElroy, nephews; Dr. John Clarence Simmons and Jim (Tara) McElroy, and several extended family.
Pallbearers are Robert Reed McElroy, Simeon Wood McElroy, John Paul Huguley, Spencer McCartney Taylor, Bobby Welch and Jonathan Welch.
Honorary Pallbearers are Richard Byrd, Bobby Junkins, John M. Ryle, and Dr. John Clarence Simmons.
The family welcomes flowers, or donations may be made to The Etowah County Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center.
The family would like to thank all of Mrs. McElroy’s friends and caregivers for their love and support during her illness. The family would also like to give a very special thank you to Ms. LuAnne Scales for devoting her time and love to our sweet mom.
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