WILSON-LITTLE FUNERAL HOME

PURCELL-NEWCASTLE, MCCLAIN CO, OK

(permission granted)

Anna McElroy, age 93 of Purcell, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017, at the Purcell Municipal Hospital.

Anna Louise Rutherford was born March 25, 1924, in Altus, Oklahoma. She was the older of two children born to David Ross Rutherford and Abby Jewel (Eley) Rutherford. Anna was raised in Altus and attended Altus Schools, graduating in 1942. She was a gifted musician and loved to sing. Her appreciation of the arts afforded her a music scholarship to pursue her dreams. Anna married young and to this union, a daughter, Janet was born. Anna worked tirelessly, caring and providing for Janet, and this strengthened their mother/daughter bond. Some years later, Anna married Fred T. McElroy and her life was forever changed. They were married on March 25, 1967, at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Anna and Fred were madly in love and inseparable. Anna was a woman of great faith and a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Altus. She played the piano, sang and was a member of the Church Choir. She was a member of the McDowell Club of Allied Arts, and continued to advocate for the arts throughout her life. Anna and Fred moved to Purcell in 1975 to be closer to her daughter. For seven years they were co-owners of the Wool-Mc Convenient Store in Lexington. While living in Purcell Anna was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Rotary Cooks for many years. She was a fabulous cook and passed her love for cooking and secret recipes on to her daughter and granddaughters. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother and the best “Nanny” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed!

She was preceded in death by: Her parents: Ross and Abby Rutherford Her husband: Fred T. McElroy Brother: Dr. David Ross Rutherford II Son-In-Law: Don Woolly in July of 2016 Step-Son: Monty McElroy

Anna leaves behind: Her daughter: Janet Woolly of Purcell; 3 grandchildren: Allison Northcutt and husband David of Lexington Darren Woolly of Purcell Lori Cudd and husband Roger of Purcell 8 Great Grandchildren: Lucas, Jonah, Nick, Joshua, Justace, Emily, Jeremy and Lysi 1 Niece: Melissa Rutherford of North Hampton, Mass. 1 Nephew: David Ross Rutherford III & wife Annie of Skokie, IL. 2 Step- daughters: Carol McElroy of Altus & Mary McElroy of Okla. City 2 step-granddaughters: Lisa and Katy And one great-great grandchild on the way Also a host of other family and friends.

A Graveside Memorial Service has been scheduled for 9:00 am Friday, June 30, 2017 at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell. Arrangements by Wilson-Little Funeral Home of Purcell. Send online condolences @ wilsonlittle.com.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Anna’s memory to the Bereavement Committee of Trinity United Methodist Church.