Mary Elmore

On Saturday, April 2, 1932, in Eutawville, South Carolina, Freddie and Nellie (Green) Murray welcomed their eighth child, a baby girl they named Mary. The youngest of the children, Mary was raised and nurtured in a loving home with her seven siblings, Isaac, Clarence, Freddie Jr., Nellie, Asalee, Lizzie and Joseph. However, Mary’s life became challenging when her sweet mother passed away before her teenage years. Her older siblings gradually left to pursue their adult life leaving her to assist with taking care of the home while matriculating through the Orangeburg County school system.

Her father was called by the almighty to become a pastor. He, Reverend Freddie Murray, became an Assistant Pastor at Saint James Baptist Church in Eutawville where Mary was baptized and served as an active member. Ultimately, given extremely limited employment opportunities, most of her friends and neighbors had left the South. In 1954, Mary decided to relocate to New York to accept a job as a live-in nanny that her friend had secured for her. This was perfect for her, because she did not have to worry about accommodations as a young woman while acclimating to her new city life.

On September 18, 1958, Mary and Melvin Elmore were joined together in holy matrimony. They enjoyed forty-seven years of marriage until his passing on September 16, 2005. They enjoyed traveling together and successfully established a productive and stable household. Mary explored other employment opportunities and retired from home health care in 2005 after working since she was a "child", for more than sixty years.

Mary never lost her faith. She joined Calvary Baptist Church in White Plains shortly after she moved to Westchester County in 1954, under the Pastorship of the late Reverend Young. She was a member of the Daughters of Calvary for several years where she served as secretary for a few years. Mary completed a few certificated Bible Study courses under the tutelage of the late Pastor Eloise Young. She continued to be an active member of Calvary Baptist Church for more than sixty-four years until her health declined.

Indeed, we give thanks for Mary’s longevity at ninety-one years, ten months and twenty-five days. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States as well as experiencing the cultures of the Carribbean nations and numerous countries. She was most proud of her pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Holy Land for which she received an official Attestation Pilgrimage Certificate. Mary’s hobbies also included collecting statues of elephants, last count was easily two hundred elephants that she showcased throughout her home. Similarly, her collection included all types of crystal and coins. Known for her German Chocolate cake in her circle of friends, she enjoyed gifting her friends with her labor of culinary love. Mary loved her family and was very proud of their accomplishments. She was known for her strong “bear hugs” to show her affection.

Mary’s pride and joy was her daughter, MaryE who she called Betty Ann. She knew the value of an education, so she worked and diligently saved to ensure her daughter’s education and supported all of her endeavors beyond measure.

Mary entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 6:40 AM at Dumont Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in New Rochelle, New York, just one month and three days shy of her ninety second birthday. Special Thanks to the 4th floor staff at Dumont for the extra special care they provided to ensure her comfort. In addition to her parents, spouse and siblings, Mary was predeceased by her cherished nephews, Daniel Greene and Isaac Murray, her doting niece Martha Bailey and her beloved and “only first cousin” Janie Brown as well as other cherished relatives.Mary leaves to cherish her memory and legacy, her devoted and loving daughter, MaryElizabeth (“Betty Ann”) Murray. She is also survived by her loving nieces Hannah Jenkins of Brooklyn NY and Alice Mae Davis of New York City, Josephine Robinson, Annie Brantley, Margaret Wood, Carolyn Murray, Dorothy Murray, Rebecca Brown, nephews Rev. Franklin (Essie) Murray of Massachusetts, Rev. Abraham Murray (Vernell) of South Carolina, sisters-in-law, Leila Green of Georgia, Ruby Elmore of White Plains, NY, dearest cousin Lizzie Mae Smith of Mount Vernon, NY and a host of treasured grand nieces, grand nephews, extended family, relatives and friends. Gone from our sight but never from our hearts. We love you and will forever cherish the time we had with you. Rest well. To God Be the Glory.

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ATTENTION: As we continue to phase back into smaller capacity public visitations/services amid the continuing COVID & other various health concerns, we need your help in limiting/controlling the number of people, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Viewing/Wake/Visitation will be held on Tues. March 5th, 2024 from 4:00PM-6:00PM with limited seating due to COVID & other health considerations. There is a MAXIMUM CAPACITY of 80 people at funeral home at any time, And MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES. So you must come to the funeral home WITH YOUR OWN MASK ON ALREADY to attend the Wake, with your masks on inside at ALL times. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen), and WALK-THRU to briefly greet the family. If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat; but if at capacity by the time you get here, you may be required to leave the premises after signing register book, so as not to be in violation nor cause a health hazard, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, social distancing MUST be maintained (please refrain from touching/hugging/handshaking, preferably just elbow bumping briefly if at all). If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if at our capacity at any time. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff/personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for kindly following directions & any laws and/or policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of Mary Elmore entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to family of Mary Elmore during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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You MUST come to the funeral home wearing a mask, & wear a mask inside the funeral home/social distance as much as possible at all times. You must use hand sanitizer upon entering our funeral home. If you know you have/are under quarantine because of a coronavirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come into our funeral home. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of our funeral home, and directions of the funeral home staff at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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In LIEU of flowers & as a lasting tribute, the family kindly requests instead that a contribution be made in her name/memory/honor to the Alzheimer's Association, 2900 Westchester Ave., Ste. #306, Purchase, NY10577-2552 or alz.org (or may be done through the donation tab/link here in website at the bottom of this page). If flowers are sent despite the family request, sending plants or vases to South Carolina, or that the family may possibly keep is preferable & may be delivered here on Tues. March 5th, 2024 by/before 3:30PM. The Family Thanks You!