Out-of-state
ATLANTA, Ga. — Elrod, Mary Jackson, age 70, died peacefully in her home in
Atlanta, Ga., on Thursday, April 13, 2017.
Mary was born Nov. 14, 1946, in Newport, Ark., to the late Narcissa Wilmans and Jabez Fenton Jackson Sr. She grew up in Newport and graduated from the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1969 to work as an assistant in the office of Congressman Wilbur Mills. While in Washington, D.C., she met her husband, Charles Ellison Elrod Jr. They married in August 1971. Soon afterwards, they moved to Atlanta, Ga., and started an amazing 45 years together. In 1971, she joined the congregation of the Cathedral of St. Philip. She served her beloved church in multiple ways including: member of St. Anne’s Guild, Junior Warden of the Chapter, Chair of the Flower Guild, and Chair of the 1990 and 2013 Cathedral Antique Shows. She was also a volunteer for the Atlanta History Center, the High Museum of Art and
The Lovett School. She was a member of the Capital City Club, the Junior League of Atlanta and Bible Study Fellowship.
Mary had an intuitive mind and was acutely observant. She had a profound love and appreciation of art. In her free time, she was an avid reader, bridge player, golfer, tennis player, and traveler. Mary adored all her family and friends. She enjoyed hosting parties and events to celebrate others. Mary loved her Arkansas family history and traditions, and she cherished her endless number of friendships that she cultivated throughout her life.
Mary is survived by her husband, Charles Ellison Elrod Jr. She is also survived by her children and their spouses: Elizabeth (Elrod) and James Broome of Nashville, Tenn.; Charles and Mindy Elrod of Atlanta, Ga. Mary delighted in her three grandchildren: Narcissa Phillips Broome, Jackson Lowry Elrod and Ellison Fenton Elrod. She is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Jabez and Pat Jackson of Newport, Ark., and Dorsey and Lucy Jackson of Little Rock, Ark.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lake and Kay Elrod of Charlotte, N.C.; and a sister-in-law, Susan Elrod of New York, N.Y.; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30305. The family will receive visitors in Child Hall directly following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Honor Health Research Institute, C/O Honor Health Foundation, 8125 N Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85258, or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www. pancan.org or 1(877) 435-8650, PANCAN, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, Calif, 90266.
–––––❖––––– WINNSBORO, La. — A memorial service for Ms. Muriel “Doll” Selby will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Young’s Community Memorial Funeral Home, with Rev. Frances Guy officiating. Doll was born on Aug. 16, 1953 in Lake Village, Ark., and passed away on April 10, 2017 in Monroe, La.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John Gordon Selby and Beatrice Waldron Selby. Survivors left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Callie McManus of Gilbert, La.; grandsons, Michael Conner Malta and John David Malta; brothers, John Gordon Selby, Jr of Benton, Ark., Paul Selby of White Hall, Ark., and Keith Selby of Jonesboro, Ark.; sisters, Delia Sadler and husband Gerald of Winnsboro, La., and Glenda Sanderlin and husband Pete of Ypsilanti, Mich.; and special friend and care giver, Ben Scott.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, April 17, 2017 from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home. Online registry/condolences at www.youngscommunity.com.
–––––❖––––– DETROIT, Mich. — Ellen Louis Spencer, 93, of Detroit, Mich., passed Friday, Born in Menifee, Ark. Survivors: Brother; Richard Loyd Spencer, and other relatives. Visitation; Monday 6-7 p.m. and, A family gathering will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Watson-Northcrest 1801 Maple St. 812-5303.
–––––❖––––– HOUSTON, Texas — Michael Lynn O’Donell, age 68, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. He was born on March 10, 1949, in Searcy, Ark. He is survived by his sister, Dr. Alice
Anne O’Donell of Galveston, Texas and many loving cousins and friends, including his beloved dachshund, “Mona”. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ofelia O’Donell. Michael was a Methodist, attended Griffithville High School, University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University. In 1985 he moved to Houston, Texas, where he studied interior design at the University of Houston. In the late 80’s, he followed his passion for flowers and native plants by pursing his career in small garden landscape design. He established his own company, The Environment. His Houston home in the Boulevard Oaks neighborhood became a show place for small plot tropical and native plant gardening. He collected unwanted plants from ditches, gutters, and alleys and gave them a home. He had an eye for walking through local nurseries and spotting unique plants. Ferns and white azaleas found their place alongside native flowers in non-traditionally designed flower gardens. At an early age, he began bringing home baby squirrels that he rescued from his many adventures in the woods. Some lived for several months in his apartment in small boxes. He was a longtime volunteer at the Museum of Fine Arts and the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Tuesdays were his “bug” days and Thursdays were when he got to release the butterflies. Michael was a kind, gentle man who shared his talent and love of flowers and plants with friends and neighbors. He will be missed by all who knew him and has now found peace in another famous Garden. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017, at eleven o’clock in the morning, at Bradshaw Carter Memorial and Funeral Services, 1734 W. Alabama in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Griffithville United Methodist Church in Griffithville, Ark., Legacy Community Healthcare in Houston (www.legacycommunityhealth.org), or All Texas Dachshund Rescue (www. atdr.org).