Deborah Hardy McElreath

Mrs. Deborah Hardy McElreath, 85, died Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at The Magnolia in Oxford, Mississippi. The funeral will be Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Edward Norton officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home beginning at 10:30 A.M. A private graveside service will be held in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

Debbie was born January 16, 1940, in Jackson, MS, to Benjamin David Hardy and Verna Rodgers Hardy. She remained in Jackson until moving to Columbus, MS, where she attended and then graduated from Mississippi College for Women (better known as the “W”) in 1963, majoring in English and History.

In 1965, Debbie married long-time Oxford resident, Calvin McElreath. The newlyweds spent a few years in Jackson and welcomed their daughter, Amy, in 1968. After a brief period in Grenada, the young family returned to Oxford and welcomed their son, David, in 1972. Deb and Calvin continued a wonderful life together and celebrated their 60th anniversary in April of this year.

Debbie adapted well to Oxford, quickly making lifelong friends through various organizations and social clubs, including the Garden Club and Coterie. Deb was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Oxford for many years, serving as an elder and coordinating various activities for camps, Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, Vacation Bible School, and Sunday school.

Of all the things Debbie loved, the most important was raising her children. Amy and David were her priority. From Brownie and Girl Scout leader to homeroom mom, she always planned and organized events for her children and their friends. As the children grew older, Debbie went to work at Duvall’s clothing store on The Square. She loved interacting with the public but especially enjoyed building relationships with her coworkers, aka “the girls,” and trips to Market with her dear friend, Teresa. Other favorite pastimes and hobbies include annual beach trips with her family and walking for miles with her best friends around the Tad Smith Coliseum. Debbie was an avid reader and enjoyed music of all kinds.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents, B.D. and Verna of Jackson, as well as her brother Thomas, “Tommy,” also of Jackson.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Calvin, of Oxford; her two children, Amy Brown of Decatur, AL and David McElreath (Jessica) of Little Rock, AR; her brother, David Hardy (Christi) of Madison, MS; four grandchildren, Drew Brown, Benjamin Brown, Carlee McElreath, and Creighton McElreath; her niece, Michelle Hawkins, of Jackson, MS; and her nephews, Benjamin Hardy of Hattiesburg, MS and Creighton Hardy, of Ridgeland, MS.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Debbie’s memory may be made to Susan G. Komen, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, Texas 75380, or online at https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/donate/, the Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter, Post Office Box 456, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158, or online at https://www.alz.org/ms, or Arden Home Health and Hospice, 405 Galleria Lane, Suite C, Oxford, Mississippi 38655.