McElhaney

Peggy Joann McElhaney of Tyler passed away Aug. 5 at the age of 78 years. She was born March 4, 1936 in Franklin County the daughter of Floyd McCoy and Allie Luella (Townsend) Anderson.

Cultivating all types of plant life was among JoAnn’s favorite pastimes. She took pleasure in finding new specimens and watching them grow. She had an extremely outgoing personality, and often engaged with random strangers just to exchange a new start from a particular variety of lily, inadvertently making a new friend along the way. She loved life and loved to watch things grow. Her caretakers remarked how cute and funny she was. JoAnn, as she was called by her friends. had a unique and remarkable sense of humor. She had an extraordinary love for her dogs and was rarely seen without one tucked under her arm or curled in her lap. She was privileged to meet her long-awaited great-grandchild, Rhys Jeffrey, before she departed from this life. JoAnn accepted the call into the ministry of the service of Our Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 19, spreading the gospel  through evangelism and radiooutreach. Her greatest legacyremains, as she left the mark of Christ wherever she went. She leaves her daughters, Carolyn Ann Rose of Tyler, and Verna Sue and her husband Gary Walton of Arp; two grandchildren, Misty Jo and her husband Jeffrey Bozman and Gary W. Walton II; one great grandchild, Rhys Jeffrey Bozman.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Carroll Vernon Brooks and her second husband, Billy Wayne McElhaney; a son, Joe Carroll Brooks; brother, F.M. “Tuffy” Anderson; sisters, Floy Van Zandt, Bobby Towry, and Imogene Hicks.

A graveside service was held for l0:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Bethel Cemetery in Franklin County.Services are under the direction of Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home. Online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome. com.