Kenneth Mitchell Elliott Sr.

Kenneth Mitchell Elliott, Sr. passed away peacefully Sunday after a brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 83. Ken was born to Doris and Bert Elliott (deceased) in West Carthage, New York on December 31, 1933. His brother Richard “Bull” Elliott and sister Joy Elliott Schwartz preceded him in death.

After graduating from high school, Ken began attending Watertown School of Commerce and trained as a stenographer. Ken was drafted into the U.S. Army and on one weekend-pass, Ken left his base in Indiana and returned to New York to marry Nancy Jewett. Ken was deployed to Korea shortly after the Korean War ended and he, on many occasions claimed that the enemy surrendered once they knew he was on the scene. Ken and Nancy were married for 32 years and had four children. After Ken’s honorable discharge from the Army, he and Nancy relocated from New York to Jacksonville, Florida. Ken worked in banking and then spent 30 years working for The Beneficial Corporation where he would retire as a Regional Supervisor. Ken’s job brought the family to Valdosta, Georgia, back to Jacksonville, then to North Carolina, back to Florida and then ultimately to Stone Mountain, Georgia where Ken lived until he retired. Ken and Nancy were divorced after many happy decades of marriage. Later, Ken married Jean King and the couple lived in Cartersville, GA and then in White, GA. They were married for 31 happy years. Jean cared deeply for Ken and was by his side during his period of decline taking care of his every need until she was no longer physically able to do so.

Ken always had a great zest for life and loved very much to laugh and to make others laugh. While living in Cartersville, Ken and Jean often volunteered in the local theatre and were even involved in performing in many shows. Ken was always eager to tell the latest joke he had heard and he had a true ability to light up any room he entered. Ken also volunteered for American Legion Post 42 in Cartersville and played the bugle call “Taps” on his trumpet at many fellow veterans’ services.

Ken is survived by his wife Jean Elliott, his four children, Bonnie (Don) Garner, Phil (Cathy) Elliott, Mitch (Derek St. Laurent) Elliott, and Stephanie Elliott Burnette, his stepchildren Marsha (Jerry) Evans, Mardy (Mindy Drummond) King, his grandchildren, Donnie (Amy) Garner, Ryan (Whitney) Garner, Sandra Elliott, Emily Elliott, Kimberley Hall, Mitchell Burnette, his step-grandson Ryan (Rachel) Evans and his great grandchildren, Audrey Garner, Jackson Garner, Noah Garner and Kendall Garner.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 3, 2017 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton under the care of Woodstock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.