Mrs. Leola A. McElroy

Sister Leola Bufford-McElroy was born on July 5, 1942 in Hardimon County, Whiteville Tennessee. She was the daughter of the late Susie and Edward Mace Bufford. Leola graduated from Allen White High School in 1960. Shortly after graduating from high school Leola married her first and only love, Cornelius McElroy in October of 1961. They built a family together and to that union six children were born. Leola accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Lane Chapel C.M.E. church in Whiteville, Tennessee. She grew up dedicating her life to Christ, attending Sunday school, bible study, and earnestly memorized bible scriptures. She placed God’s word deep into her heart by studying the scriptures and instilled that same love for God into her children and grandchildren. When her family moved to Alton, Illinois, she joined and remained a faithful member of Allen Chapel A.M.E Church. She stepped out on faith when the three A.M.E. churches split to become a charter member for Unity Fellowship Church. She continued being a faithful servant at Unity Fellowship Church by serving as an usher, faithfully attending bible study and Sunday school. She served on the Stewardess board, and was a member of the Mary Lee Johnson Missionary Society. In 2005 Leola received from the MLJMS the Tishie E. Smith missionary of the year award because of her servant life. Leola had a passion for working in her flower garden. When she began growing Aloe Vera plants, she created body grease from the plants that could be applied from your head to your feet relieving and/or curing several skin disorders. She had a growing demand for her Grannyma’s Grease. Her growing hands were also used to grow hair. Friends and family would bring their daughters to her, to grow their hair. Besides gardening, Leola enjoyed sewing, baking her specialty egg pies and cooking. She was a great basketball player in high school. Her shooting skills were so good even as an adult, she could out shoot youngsters. On Saturday, January 6, 2024 with her family by her bedside at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis, Mo, Leola heard the voice of the Lord calling her into her eternal rest from labor to reward. She was blessed with 81 years. She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Susie Bufford, one son Maurice Grina McElroy, five brothers: Lemon Perry, Lonza Bufford Sr., William Bufford, Lorenzo Bufford, Carl Bufford, and two sisters: Gertrude Giles, and Lurlen Smith. Leola leaves to forever cherish her memory, her five children: Three sons from Alton, Illinois; Darryl(Gayle) McElroy, Bryant(Dionne)McElroy, Vincente McElroy two daughters: Bridgett(Larry)McElroy-Landon of Alton, Illinois and Nicol McElroy of Grand Prairie Texas. Her 16 grandchildren; Maetisha(James) Noel, Shareena(Larry) Warren, Briana McElroy, Darryl(Jamee) McElroy, Anthony Croft, Bryant McElroy,Jr., Andrew(Lee) Jackson, Justina Ross, DeTraze(Mariah) McElroy, Nickiea Sanders, Nicol Sanders, Brichel Landon, Ramon McGowen, Nickiea Jackson, Marcia Boden, Aaron Hayes and 38 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mrs. Leola A. McElroy

July 5, 1924 - January 6, 2024