Mary McElhaney

Mary Ann (Cellars) McElhaney was born July 9, 1944. Mary was preceded in death by her parents David and Mary Cellars, two sisters, Diane and Betty, and two brothers Bobby Cellars and Dale Myers. She is survived by her brother Teddy Myers, and husband Albert McElhaney. Albert and Mary had four daughters, Tamara Fitzpatrick, twins Karen Hagan and Carol Young (Terry), and Paula Michau (Darin Thomas). Mary has eight grandchildren: Sherry, Shawn, Melissa, Jason, Josh, Caleb, Aaron, and Bethany, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Our “Mamaw” was the sweetest woman anyone has ever known. She loved the Lord, and Christ’s love was shown through her to every stranger he put in her path. Mary was the angel God sent when he knew struggling hearts needed kindness. She embodied the warmth and love that filled our family. We all knew the warmth of her smile, and comfort of her hugs. Her face never failed to light up when someone she knew would walk into the room. Whether it had been a day or a decade, you were greeted as one of her closest friends. She had the gift of making everyone feel fully loved, seen, and just like family.

Her warm love for people had the genuine intimacy to make everyone smile and know that they were cared for personally. Your name was destined to be mentioned in conversation between her and God later that day. She wanted the best for everyone she ever met, and she was not afraid to call in heavenly favors on your behalf. We always knew, no matter when the highs or lows of our lives struck, her friends and family, and even her friend’s families, had a home with her. We would be welcomed in with a hug and a homemade meal that she could whip up out of thin air. She saved no expense, and cooked enough food for a month, because that is how long she was prepared to hold you, until you were ready to face the world again.

Every visit was too short for Mary “Mamaw” McElhaney. After being at her house until well past midnight, she would still always say, “What’s your hurry?” She was a hard worker and put her everything into her work. She worked for Baptist for over 21 years, impacting human lives and working her way from an EKG tech, all the way to Coordinator of the Non-Invasive Cardiac Lab. Mary and Albert shared a wonderfully adventurous Life, traveling the world over, and never leaving a destination without striking up conversation with someone. Before you knew it, she was adding new names and faces to the forever-growing list of treasured friendships that would span decades. She had a servant's heart and gave everything she had to her family and her loved ones without hesitation. Not many people can say they were so deeply loved and prayed for every single day, but those who had the blessing of knowing Mary Ann can.

Looking forward, the temporary absence of her smile creates a sadness we all feel, knowing the next few years will be filled moments of looking over our shoulders, eager to share a happy moment with her, and starting text messages we inevitably will not complete before realizing she’s not here anymore. The sadness is only overshadowed by knowing the fact that she has already started the next chapter with Jesus, she’s without pain, talking Jesus’s ear off about her family and “grandbabies,” and excitedly watching our lives and eating large bags of popcorn while doing it. She was the best wife, mother, sister, mamaw, and friend anyone could have asked for. Now, she is the sweetest angel looking over all of us.

Funeral services are 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2020 at New Life Church: Greater Little Rock Camps. Interment will follow at Pilgrims Rest cemetery in Little Rock. Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoed Ct. Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. (501) 224-2200. Sign Mary’s online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com