Elaine Walker Collingwood

A native of Charlotte, NC, Elaine was born on April 3, 1938 to Curtis and Edna Walker. Elaine grew up with her parents, sister Lyndell and brother Wayne in North Charlotte where she graduated from Derita High School. She married Ronald Griffith in 1955 and went on to have two children, Kathy and Gerald. Later in her life, she married Bernard Collingwood, who preceded her in death in 2003.

Elaine was employed throughout her life and enjoyed her work. She worked at Charlotte Motor Speedway (loved those races!) and the Charlotte Coliseum (where her family and friends enjoyed many concerts in the 1960-1970's!) She was also a beautiful model at Charlotte Merchandise Mart in the 1970's. After that, she had many temporary jobs in various fields.

After retiring in 2001 from Novant (Presbyterian) Matthews as the Office Manager in the Gift Shop, Elaine focused her sights on volunteering within her community. She enjoyed her time at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center as well as the Quail Hollow Golf Tournaments. In addition, she just loved her time at the Billy Graham Library from 2007 (the inception of the library) until her passing, almost 17 years.

A devout Christian, Elaine was a member of Calvary Church over 40 years. She faithfully attended Sunday church services and reading her Bible and daily devotionals.

Some of Elaine's favorite hobbies included reading, painting and international travel. She spent much of her free time reminiscing through photographs accrued over her lifetime, especially those with her family and vacations at her beach house. Elaine was also very social and especially close with her longtime friends Kajsa Nilsson, Sharon Huckabea, Hilda Howell and Cynthia Swaggerty. They had regular monthly get togethers to visit, celebrate birthdays and holidays.

Elaine, being the matriarch in her family, truly cherished her time with every member of the family. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Griffith McIntyre; her son Gerald Griffith (Patty); her grandchildren Stefanie McIntyre Fields (Scott), Susan Griffith, Grant Griffith (Kayla), and Heather McIntyre; her great- grandchildren Chase Fields, Callie Fields and Aubrey Griffith; her nieces Laurie Canham(Bob), Bonnie Solomon (Scott) and Cindy Houston Hazen.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Edna; father, Curtis; sister, Lyndell; brother, Wayne; as well as her beloved longtime best friend, Hanes Holt.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Elaine on her birthday, Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the McEwen Pineville Chapel. Following the service, there will be a time of visitation with refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make donations to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.