Dorothy McElroy Harrell

It is with profound sadness and also joy that we share the passing of our Mother, Dorothy (Dot) McElroy Harrell.  Our mother passed just days before her 99^th birthday.  She was the daughter of Lawson and Dare McElroy and the widow of Leroy Harrell.  She is survived by her younger sister, Joan McElroy Osborne of Clyde and her daughters Pola Wilhelm of Cornelius, NC and Nena Harrell of Charlottesville, VA as well as many nieces, nephews and greats.   She was also predeceased by their wonderful son-in-law, Gene Wilhelm and is survived by Gene’s children, grands and great grands who have been in our lives for over 35 years.

Our Mother was extremely creative whether it was in the clothes she made us as babies, prom dresses or her love of decorating her homes and our homes.  There was never a craft Mother wouldn’t tackle and she never saw a flower she didn’t love or try to propagate. When she and Dad moved to Mooresville to a newly built retirement facility, void of landscape, Mom immediately asked if she could garden.  Their response was “yes” but they had no idea of the extent she would garden! Mom’s creativity was truly amazing which was also exhibited in the many stained glass creations she painstakingly cut each piece of glass and soldered together for our masterpieces - many without patterns.  We made a book of her stained glass creations for Mother. Mother was very active in the First Baptist Church and also a bible scholar who accomplished the Master Life classes, taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday school for many years.

Mother will be missed every day of our lives. We would appreciate cards sent to P.O. Box 5548, Charlottesville, VA 22905. Memorial contributions may be made in Miss Dot's memory to Hospice of Iredell County, Samaritan’s Purse, or to The Ivy, 6030 Park South Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210.

Our gratitude and love to Mother's caretakers Aneesah, Bettie, Claire, Jean, Lisa, Sara, Veronica, and Vivian, whom mother loved and have become part of our family.

A celebration of her life will be held on her 99^th birthday, November 10 at 2PM in the Chapel at TerraBella of Lake Norman.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.KepnerFH.com