Charlene Thomas McElroy

Fulton- Charlene Thomas McElroy, 94, known affectionately by her loved ones as “Cha Cha,” passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 14, 2024. She was surrounded by her loved ones. Charlene was born February 8,1930, to Novis and Jewell Martin Thomas in Dorsey, Mississippi. She married the love of her life, John Daniel “Dan” McElroy in 1957 and together they raised their daughters, Toni and Traci, in Fulton, Mississippi. Charlene and Dan assisted Dan’s father, the late John McElroy, in the family pharmacy, Fulton Drug Company. They owned and operated the pharmacy after Mr. John’s passing and later also owned the Apothecary Shop in Fulton. Fulton Drug was known as a gathering place for Fulton locals during its early soda fountain days. Even after, many would continue to drop by and share a cup of coffee with Charlene. Charlene was a homemaker and she was known best in Fulton for her hospitality. While she did keep a beautiful home, it was never a chore– just always ready for friends and family to “drop in” as they so often did. She was a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church where she often volunteered in children’s and youth ministries for many years. She was an avid golfer, Bridge player, and Ole Miss fan. Cha Cha loved hosting her family and friends, organizing events and tailgating in the Grove. Charlene was a devoted grandmother with an unwavering presence in her grandaughters’ lives. Because of this, “Cha Cha” was known and loved by multiple generations of young people. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Sanctuary Hospice and the Green Houses at Traceway for the compassionate care they provided to her during her last year of life.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with the Rev. John Foster and the Rev. Smith Lilley officiating. Chad Berry will deliver the family eulogy. Burial will be in Itawamba Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include her two daughter, Toni Bragg (Dave) and Traci Wardlaw, both of Tupelo; one sister-in-law, Jean Thomas, of Memphis; three granddaughters, Hart Berry (Chad), Austin Blinson (Logan), and Anne Daniel Sams; and five great-grandchildren, Camp Berry, Charlie Berry, Ward Berry, Grey Blinson, and Carrsyn Blinson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dan McElroy in 2001; her parents; and her twin brother, Charles Edward Thomas.

Pallbearers will be Chad Berry, Logan Blinson, San Weatherford, Ted Weatherford, Phillip Tubb, Dr. Jim Stone, Jim Spencer, Trent Bennett, and Bill Prestage.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wallace Francis, David Greenhaw, Steve Greenhaw, Carl Comer, and Dr. Grayden Tubb.

Visitation will be from noon until service time Sunday at the McNeece- Morris Funeral Home in Fulton.

Memorials may be made to the Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main, Tupelo, MS 38803.

For those unable to attend, the service may be seen at www.facebook.com/mcneece.morris.

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