Dorothy Mcneely Elliott

Nearly every Sunday for her entire life, Dorothy McNeely Elliott, formerly of Greensboro and of Denton, could be found in church - from Zion Methodist Church in Burke County to Jamestown United Methodist Church where she was a member for over 55 years - so she knew the way Home quite well. This faithful child of God arrived home on December 23, 2024, at the age of 90, after a life filled with love. She was the youngest child of Lester Howard and Mamie Hollar McNeely and was predeceased by her siblings, Harold McNeely, Evelyn McNeely, Irwin McNeely and Katherine Baird. For nearly 45 years she was married to the love of her life, Don Elliott, who also predeceased her in 2006.

She is survived by her children, Donna Brown (Matt); Amy Mescanti (Damian) and Doug Elliott (Diana) as well as 5 grandchildren: Noah Brown (Emily); Seth Brown (Liza); Mary Jessie Densmore; Will Densmore, and Libby Elliott.

Resiliency and determination are traits that helped her weather life’s challenges. At the age of 17 and in her senior year of high school she adjusted her class schedule to attend school half days in order to care for her mother who was dying with cancer. After losing her mother she returned to school full time and graduated as the Valedictorian of her class. She then enrolled in the School of Nursing at UNC – Chapel Hill and graduated in 1956. After an early career in nursing her focus shifted to raising three children and serving others. She taught preschool, sang in the church choir, served as a Stephen Minister, and volunteered at the Outreach Thrift Store, Hospice and Thomasville Hospital.

Always a caregiver she wrote and sealed a letter to her children in 2009 with instructions not to read until she died. As Alzheimer’s Disease progressed the letter was discovered and the instructions were followed until they weren’t. Her words buffered us through the last year of her life when her thoughts and words became tangled. In order to help us celebrate her life rather than mourn her death she wrote of her blessings – a deep faith, a loving marriage, three children who helped her live after a tragic accident in which she lost her beloved husband and five grandchildren whom she adored.

She wrote that she feared she might live too long and “if that has indeed happened, please accept my apology. I didn’t mean to.” Truly it was never going to be enough time, and as always, God was right on time. Well done, good and faithful servant. Thanks be to God.

A celebration of her life will take place at Jamestown United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 18 at 12:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 10:30 am until noon. A family graveside service will take place later in the day.

Memorials may be made to Jamestown United Methodist Church, PO Box 339, Jamestown, NC 27282 or The Alzheimer’s Association