Pearline McElyea

Leaving a legacy that spans 10 decades, Louise Pearline Taylor McElyea passed away on June 5, 2023, at 93-years-old. The beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend was petite in stature – standing just 5' tall – but her heart, hugs and love for helping people know Jesus was bigger than the Texas sky she loved.

Pearline was born on December 9, 1929, in Roscoe, Texas, to Milton and Louise Taylor. Her arrival came during the beginning of The Great Depression. She was the second oldest of nine children, and like many children during their youth and teenage years, she helped with the family cotton farm while attending school. She graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1946 as World War II was ending. During that bustling time, at 18-years-old, she met and fell in love with a handsome soldier, Patrick McElyea, and they married on December 11, in Roby, Texas that same year.

It was an exciting and hopeful time after the war and the young couple settled down and chose Sweetwater as their permanent homestead. In 1949, they started their family that included five children: Ron, Terry, Patti, Jeff and Peggy.

While Pearline was busy managing their household, she was among the first women after the war to pioneer and perfect how to raise a family and attend college. She earned a degree in 1966 and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse, providing nursing care for many years to the residents of Sweetwater. She began her career at Simmons Memorial Hospital, now Rolling Plains Hospital, from 1966 to 1976, then finished her career at Holiday Healthcare Management from 1976 to 1980.

In 1980, Pearline retired from nursing, and she and Pat traveled and spent time with their family and grandchildren. They enjoyed traveling the USA in their motor home.

Pearline was blessed during her long life to be a part of historical moments, including the iconic Great Depression, World War II, ushering in new states to complete America’s 50, an assassination of a U.S. president, numerous political scandals and wars, the creation of computers and the age of technology, and a worldwide pandemic. She gained wisdom and knowledge throughout each decade and shared her wisdom with loved ones, along with many great stories.

But the most important topic she loved discussing was her love for the Lord and dedication to church. She was a member at Lamar Street Church of Christ in Sweetwater and spent many years working in the women’s ministry and helping children find their faith in Jesus. After the passing of Pat, she moved to Abilene, Texas, and was a faithful member at Baker Heights Church of Christ and the Church of Christ at Remington Ridge.

Over the years, Pearline was known by her family and friends for her contagious laugh, her love to give big hugs, her many stories, her enjoyment of the great outdoors, fishing, crocheting, sewing, jewelry making and keeping up with and attending her grandkid's and great-grandchildren’s events.

Pearline was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Patrick McElyea; son, Jeff McElyea; daughter, Patti Simmons; father, Milton Taylor; and mother, Louise Taylor; her six sisters: Goldie Greene, Geraldine Workman, Jewel Stevens, Virginia Avant, Betty Scott, Helen Cadengo; and one brother, Sonny Taylor.

A graveside service honoring Pearline will be Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater, Texas, located at 6412 N. Interstate 20, Sweetwater, TX 79556. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd.