Martha Melton McElhenney

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Beatline Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Mark McDonald will officiate. Visitation will be on Sunday at McClain-Hays from 12:30 pm until departure to the cemetery.

Martha McElhenney was a native of Neshoba County and was a resident of Newton County for the past 35 years. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1956. After graduation, she attended the Mattie Hersee School of Nursing, where she received her RN degree. Later, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi and received her BS degree in nursing, then attended Mississippi University for Women and received her Master's Degree in Nursing. She started her nursing career at Rush Hospital in Meridian and later worked at Choctaw Health Center for several years. Martha began her teaching career at Mattie Hersee Hospital in Meridian and later taught at ECCC in Decatur until she retired. She was a member of Old Pearl Valley Baptist Church in Neshoba County. 

Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Jimmy McElhenney of Decatur, with whom she renewed their wedding vows on their 35th anniversary this past December 28, 2025; son, Nicky Sharp of Union; stepdaughters, Angela Reeves of Decatur and Debbie Mayes (Brent) of Decatur; grandchildren, Dustin Sharp (Jen), Daniel Sharp (Kaitlyn), Kellye Bailey (Kohl), Justin Reeves (Ashton) and Kaylyn McElhenney; great-grandchildren, Bellamy Bailey, Boston Bailey, Breland Bailey, Canyon Reeves, Corlee Reeves, Amilla Sharp and Elaina Sharp; sister, Linda Melton Waites of Water Valley; a host of nieces and nephews. 

Preceded in death by her stepson, Jimmy Dale McElhenney, Jr., parents, Buster and Sue Melton, brothers, Sammy Charles Melton and Ricky Alan Melton.

Pallbearers are Daniel Sharp, Justin Reeves, Ike Melton, Ben Melton, Vincent McElhenney, and Randy Jenkins.