Lillian Frances McElhenney

Lillian Frances Stewart McElhenney, 93, of Eatonton, Ga passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016. She was born in Crawfordville, Ga, on July 15, 1922 to the late Percy Kilpatrick Stewart and Belle Amos. She married the love of her life, Hughlon Howard “Mac” McElhenney on October 10, 1941; they were married 57 years and had three children. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Eatonton, a Pink Lady for the Putnam General Ladies Auxiliary for many years and was a member of the Friendship Sunday School class. Along with her husband, she owned and operated the Tastee Freeze restaurant for 24 years, which was for many youth of Putnam County, a chance to learn a work ethic and make their first real spending money. She was a Health Nurse at Rock Eagle for several years and was a private duty nurse at the Jordan Hospital in Eatonton(now the site of the Veteran’s Memorial). She belonged to the Golden Girls and the M & M’s. She was also an avid fisherman. She had a green thumb, taking great pride in the beautiful flowers she would plant in her yard and flower beds. She especially enjoyed sewing in her younger years; making clothes, drapes and anything which struck her fancy. She had a sense of style which belied her years, wearing many stylish, elegant, and colorful clothes and standing out in any crowd. She was a remarkable woman and an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was a true southern matriarch and touched so many lives with her grace, strength and love of life. She is survived by her children, Gary McElhenney of Eatonton, Carole Tyler of Monticello and LouAnn Vining (Michael) of Roberta, Ga. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Pamela McElhenney Lacey (John) of White Plains, Thomas Howard McElhenney (Amy) of Eatonton, Lindsay Tyler Moore (Keith) of Monticello, Amanda Crews of Monticello, Cristi Sheppard (Mike) of Eatonton, Leslie Peebles (David) of Milledgeville, Holly Tyler of Monticello, Micah Tyler of Monticello, Carri Thomas (Jacob) of Greensboro, Michelle Vining of Roberta and Joshua Vining of Roberta. She also had 12 great grandchildren who were great joys in her life: T.J., JohnLuke, Lily Kate, Haiden, Gabriel, Corbett, Braxton, Abigail, Hunter, Wyatt, Lawson and Elli. She is survived by sisters Eunice Smith of Albany and Helen Muse of Athens. Visitation will be held Wednesday night from 6-8pm at Vining Ivy Hill Chapel. Funeral services will be held at The First Baptist Church of Eatonton on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Eatonton Memorial Park. Donations may be made in her honor to the First Baptist Church of Eatonton or the charity of your choice.