Berneita Marie Mcelroy

Berneita Marie McElroy was born June 20, 1923 in Jewell, Kansas to Roy Smith and Zelma Lenora Smith. Berneita left this earth at the age of 93, years, 1 month and 5 days on July 25, 2016 in her home in Boaz Alabama surrounded by her family.

Berneita graduated from Randall, Kansas Rural High School in 1941.

On August 2, 1942, Berneita married Carl Lee McElroy in Mankato, Kansas where they spent their life together. To this union two children were born, Sharon Ann and Warren Allen.

She was preceded in death by Carl - her husband of 65 years; brother – Francis; and both parents.

She is survived by children - Sharon Ann Walton of Boaz, Alabama, and Warren Allen McElroy and fiancée Susan Tobias of Signal Hill, California; two grandchildren - Rachel Ann Walton of Petersburg, Virginia, and Carrie Marie and husband Mark Burger of Sardis, Alabama; and two great-grandchildren - Madison Leah Burger and Sarah Jane Burger.

Berneita was devoted to taking care of her family. She also worked for Mankato Kansas School District USD278 as a Grade School Secretary for 20 years until retirement in 1988. After retirement, Berneita and Carl traveled throughout the country, visiting all but 3 states.

She was a faithful member of the Christian Church and a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star in which she held many offices. Some of her many hobbies included: ceramics, collecting thimbles, sewing, crocheting, reading and following all types of college sports. Berneita was active in the Garden Club and was known for growing award winning African Violets.

After ninety-one years of living in Kansas, in 2014 Berneita and her daughter Sharon moved to Boaz, Alabama. In her final years of life, she experienced great joy surrounded by three generations of family.