Edna Gray Elrod

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel Edna Gray Dempsey Elrod, 94, died Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Marianna Health and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Elrod was born in Lineville, Alabama on October 6, 1916, and grew up in Ashland, Alabama where her father, Attorney William C. Dempsey, was the Clay County Solicitor General. She was preceded in death by her father, her mother, Edna Dempsey, a brother, James Dempsey, and her sister, Elizabeth Dempsey. She graduated from University Of Montevallo., where she developed teaching skills. After graduation she taught in Mellow Valley, Alabama, Phenix City, Alabama and in Mainland High School in Daytona, Florida until she was recruited to teach at Marianna High School by Principal John Stapleton. Mrs. Elrod's teaching career spanned 43.5 years, mostly concentrated in high school math. She was very proud of the University of Montevallo. She followed the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Michigan Wolverines, but her favorite college was the University of Alabama (Roll Tide). Mrs. Elrod was active in the First Baptist Church of Marianna and the Joy Club of the church. She was also active in the Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Teacher's Sorority. Her husband, Fred Elrod, Sr., passed away in 1994 at the age of 86. She is survived by one son, Fred Elrod of Marietta, GA. Funeral services will be Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. C.S.T. at James and Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel in Marianna, with Dr. Shannon Eads officiating. Burial will be in Ashland, Alabama in a private ceremony. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, Friday. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Marianna at 2897 Green Street.