Beverly Ann McElheney Whitehurst
Beverly Ann McElheney Whitehurst was born November 5, 1937, in Monticello, Ga., and died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at Abbey Hospice, after a brief illness.
She was the daughter of William Howard and Annabel Waits McElheney. She joined Monticello Methodist Church at an early age.
She was a graduate of Monticello High School and Georgia State College for Women (GSCW), now Georgia College and State University. While at GSCW she met a Georgia Military College Cadet, Harry Swinson Whitehurst. After his graduation from The University of Georgia, they married in 1962. They lived in Avondale Estates, Georgia where she was an elementary school teacher in the Dekalb County School System. After her husband’s death in 1966, she returned to school, earning a Master of Library Science degree from Emory University. She was the consummate librarian, fostering a love of reading through purposeful and creative activities in the library at McLendon Elementary School. She also became proficient in Braille because at that time, the school system transported students with impaired vision to her school for special services.
After retirement, she moved back to Monticello, becoming an active member of the Monticello Garden Club. She was particularly involved with the cemetery committee and organized the West View Cemetery records, creating a digital, user-friendly map of all the sections and plots. She was a meticulous researcher and passionately pursued family genealogical research. She was also her niece and nephews’ greatest fan, and especially enjoyed her great nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Bill McElheney and Glen McElheney. She is survived by her sister, Miriam (Phillip) Jordan of Monticello; nephews and niece, Scott McElheney, Justin (Alicia) McElheney, Anna (Josh) Sitz, Wiley (Sonya) Jordan, and Alex Jordan; and great nephews and nieces, Will McElheney, Emily McElheney, Liam Sitz, Eli Sitz, Julia Sitz, David McElheney, Sarah McElheney, and Grady Jordan.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in the chapel of Jordan Funeral Home. The family will receive friends during the hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in West View Cemetery, Monticello, Ga. The Reverends Kathi Parchem and Jim Ross will officiate. Pallbearers will be Scott McElheney, Josh Sitz, Justin McElheney, Wiley Jordan, and Alex Jordan.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the West View Cemetery Fund. Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.