Loraine Wright McElrath

LORAINE MCELRATH Mabel Loraine Wright McElrath passed from this Earth Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at her daughter's home in Forney, Texas, after a brief illness, surrounded by loving family members. She lived a healthy, full life lasting 98 years, seven months and 25 days. Loraine was born at home in Redlands, Texas, April 3, 1911, and was the only child of Homer and Cordelia (Cordie) Felty Wright. She grew up in Fannin County and attended schools in Ector, Bonham, Tulip and Lannius. Her love of education played a dominant role in shaping and guiding her life. She was a member of the 1929 sub-college class at ETSTC in Commerce, Texas, where she later earned her B.S. degree in English, as well as, her M.Ed in education from ETSC (now A&M University). Loraine married Samuel Dennis "Doc" McElrath in 1932, and they raised four children. The cities in which she taught in Texas were: Lamasco, Hilger, Dumas and Dallas. She taught in Indian Springs and at J.M. Ullom Elementary in Las Vegas for 15 years and retired from the CCSD in 1975. Following her retirement, Loraine moved back to her "roots" to live in an historic house in historic Bonham, Texas. She spent much of her time tending to the beautiful flower gardens she planted, which are in glorious abundance most of the year! She led an active life, as she belonged to the Iris Club, Retired Teachers, Alpha Delta Kappa (teacher's sorority), the Rockhound Club, Red River Auto Club, Womens Museum (Dallas) and Society Daughters of the American Revolution, to name a few organizations in which she held membership. Loraine cultivated close relationships with friends/colleagues in each community she lived in and kept in touch with those special people to the very end. She celebrated her 98th birthday at her Las Vegas home (a yearly event) in April 2009! She loved to travel and awoke each morning saying "and where are we going today?" Loraine grew up belonging to the Methodist churches wherever she lived. She was a Sunday school teacher in Dodd City. She returned to the Lannius United Methodist Church she attended while "growing up" and where her children were christened, for her final goodbye. Loraine's daughters believe their mother to be, in addition to being the best teacher ever, the most brilliant, beautiful, loving human being they have ever known and are honored to be lucky enough to call her "Mom!" Mere words could never capture the "essence" of such an extraordinary person. Loraine was and shall forever be alive in the hearts of those she touched and who were blessed to have known and loved her! Loraine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis; sons, Sammy D. and Billy Gene and wife, Norma; and son-in-law, Frank Collins. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia M. Collins of Forney, Texas, and Peggy McElrath of Las Vegas; grandchildren, Mark McElrath and wife, Cheryl of Forney, Kelly McElrath and Michael Collins, of Dallas, and Samantha McElrath of Quinlan; great-grandchildren, Stephen McElrath and fiancee, Amanda, Brandon McElrath and wife, Katie, Taylor and Ellyn Stroud and Maxwell Noriega; and daughters-in-law, Lisa Harper, Martha Angel and Margaret Nash. Visitation for Loraine was held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnyvale, and 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at Wise Funeral Home in Bonham. The funeral service was held at 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Lannius, followed by interment, held at Smyrna Cemetery, high on that serene hill looking down on the little community where Loraine lived much of her fantastic life. If you would like to leave a note or view Loraine's online obituary and photos...please go to: www.newhopefh.com.