It's been two weeks since my mother-in-law, Dolly, passed from this life to the next. Before you think my title is a bit callous, I believe that those were the words she heard, along with, "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." She knew her God and He knew her!
She will be greatly missed by so many. I haven't written, not because there isn't anything to say, but because there is so much! How do you capture 85 years in a simple post? I know that I really can't, but I thought I'd write about some of the things she loved.
She Loved God
I know this sounds like the obvious, but it rings true. She was blessed to be born into a home that honored God and she never strayed from that foundation. Going to church was part of who she was, not what she did. She attended Apostolic Bible Institute in Minnesota, it was there that she met Jim McElhaney who would introduce her to his older brother Bill.
She Loved Her Family
She was the youngest of two daughters. She and her father shared a love for golf - it was the thing the two of them shared. As I mentioned, she met Bill while she was attending ABI. They married on August 1, 1959 and raised three great kids, including my favorite person on the planet. She loved her grandchildren and was so proud of each of them.
She Loved God's Word
The Bible wasn't just a book that sat on a shelf. Dolly studied it for herself. When we met with her pastor to discuss her memorial service he mentioned how she had a unique way at looking at scripture. It wasn't uncommon for her to talk to him after service and say, "Have you looked at that verse this way?"
She Loved to Write
Dolly began writing poetry as a child. The earliest we have is from when she was eight years old. Her writing never stopped - she had "one more book" that she wanted to get published. Les said it wouldn't have mattered if that book had gotten published because there would always be one more book. Fun fact: I knew the name Dolly McElhaney before I knew the name Les McElhaney! Dolly's first book, "Born With A Mission" was published in 1981. This is the story of missionary to the Philippines, Carl Adams. I read this shortly after it came out and before my first trip to the Philippines in 1984.
Full confession: When I started my blog I was very nervous about Dolly reading it. I don't consider myself a good writer, actually I don't even consider myself a writer, so the thought of a true author reading my ramblings was intimidating. I had nothing to worry about - Dolly was my biggest cheerleader when it came to my blog. Without fail, she would encourage me, tell me she loved what I wrote, and give me a gentle nudge when I went too long without writing.
She Loved Missions
Along with "Born With A Mission," Dolly also wrote "Full Throttle" the story of missionaries to Brazil Bennie and Theresa DeMerchant. This was followed up several years later by "Still Flying Full Throttle." Her love for missions went beyond writing about it - the royalties from her stories went towards the support of an
orphanage in Guatemala. Bill and Dolly visited Guatemala many years ago and help build the facility.
We will be celebrating her life on Saturday, March 4th at the First United Pentecostal Church in Cookeville, TN. Visitation will begin at 1:00, followed by the service at 2:00. Per her request for anyone attending - please wear bright colors - NO black! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
The Home (the orphanage in Guatemala.)
