Bobby Gene McElrath

Bobby Gene McElrath, son of the late Jace Raleigh McElrath and Iva Hunter McElrath, was born in Gatewood, Missouri on August 25, 1935. He passed peacefully on July 15, 2024, at the age of 88.

On April 7, 1957, Bob was united in marriage to Wilma Jean Mills of Lesterville, Missouri. Together, they journeyed to Germany, where he served his country in the United States Army from April 1958 to July 1960. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State College in 1963. They later added to this loving union three children; David, Julie, and Jane. 

He believed on Jesus as his Savior in the summer of 1948 at the age of 13. In the early 1970’s, Bob was ordained as a deacon, and in 1979 he became a member of The Gideon’s International. He faithfully served many years at Green Acres Baptist Church, not only as a deacon, but as greeter of the preschoolers on Sunday mornings. For over twenty years, many precious children were blessed to be greeted by “Mr. Bob”. He also served his Lord by helping elderly widows and shut-ins, and reaching out to others who were “different,” particularly those from foreign lands. 

His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved classic cars, his last one being a 1931 Model A Roadster. After his retirement as an accountant, he enjoyed traveling to all seven continents with his wife, camping, working in his yard and garden, and walking the subdivision “taking care of the neighbors”. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Cloyce Boyer, and brother, Tommy McElrath.

Survivors of Bob include his wife of 67 years, Wilma McElrath of Athens, Georgia; three children: David McElrath and wife Susan of Powder Springs, Georgia, Julie Beal and husband David of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Jane Lunceford of Athens, Georgia; three sisters: Joyce Finazzo of St. Louis, Missouri, Lela Campbell of San Diego, California, and Deborah Klessinger of Bevagna, Italy; and eight grandchildren – Jason and wife April, Jonathan and wife Jessica, Joseph, Nora, Christopher, Andrew, Stephen, and Heather. 

Bob will be deeply missed by his family and those whose lives he touched.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Green Acres Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Athens Memory Gardens. The family will receive visitors on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons International, www.gideons.org/donate or P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.

Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements. 

www.lordandstephens.com