MCELWEE, Barbara J. (1938-2018)

MCELWEE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/29/2019 at 12:18:18

Barbara Jean McElwee
(October 18, 1938 - March 24, 2018)

Today we are here to celebrate the life of Barbara Jean (Thompson) McElwee, 79, who departed this life on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Kavanagh House on 56th Street in Des Moines, as the Lord called her home to be with Him. She was the first child born to the union of Everett and Alberta (Covey) Thompson on a farm, north of Chariton, IA. She attended 8 years of school at Stanley Grade School, north of Chariton and graduated from Chariton High School in 1957.
After graduation, she worked at Piper’s Grocery and Candy Store. Barbara came to know Jesus as her Savior at the age of 15, while working in daily Vacation Bible School at the White Breast Christian Union Church.
In 1955, she attended Tri State Camp in Kansas where she met Hearold McElwee from Missouri. There were always two things she said she would never do, “marry a preacher and drive a school bus.” In 1958, Hearold McElwee came to Iowa to pastor her home church at White Breast. It was told that someone said “look your best that day as he is single.” She wore the worst dress she had.
In November of 1958, Hearold and Barbara started dating and on December 6th, 1959 they were married at the White Breast Church.
Shortly after they were married, she was told by four doctors she would never have any children. In 1966, a miracle took place and she was blessed with her wonderful son, Gearold David.
Over the years she has cooked at many church camps, her first and last at Freedom Bible Camp south of Chariton, IA. In addition, she cooked for 17 years at the Tri State Bible Camp. She even went on a mission trip to Haiti and Mexico.
As the years went by, she had always wanted two children, a boy and girl. God allowed that to happen when Becky came into Gearold’s life. Becky was no daughter-in-law. She was her daughter and that blessed her with a granddaughter, Steph. When Steph married Austin, she got her grandson. Last March, the joy of her life arrived, Kevin Dean. She was so happy; her middle name was Jean and his Dean. She loved to cook, quilt, crochet, and be a pastor’s wife. And yes, she even drove a school bus.
Funeral services for Barbara McElwee, 79, will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 28 at Fairview Community Church, 19705 Highway 69, Indianola, IA 50125, with burial following in the Belmont Cemetery, Milo, IA.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 27 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola where family will be present to greet friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Freedom Bible Camp or Kavanagh House in her name. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/