James Mcdonald Mcelyea, Jr.

James McDonald McElyea, Jr., 86, of Kernersville, NC passed away Monday, April 24, 2023.

Born in Loudon County, TN, he was a son of the late James M. McElyea, Sr. and Nora Lorene Hackney McElyea. He graduated Fairforest High School Class of 1955, and was a proud veteran of the US Air Force. After his discharge from the military, he moved to Colorado and resided there for over 50 years. Mr. McElyea was a charter member of First Southern Baptist Church of Northglenn in Colorado. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Clara Jean McElyea and Anna Johnson; and a brother, Luther McElyea.

Mr. McElyea is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Alfreida McElyea; three children, Tim McElyea (Becky), Anita Birkland (Bradley) and Debbi Ware (Jeff); three sisters, Katie McNeill, Linda Horton and Doris Cannon; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Mr. McElyea's life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 30, 2023 in the Chapel of Eggers Funeral Home of Boiling Springs.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels Upstate South Carolina ( www.upstateseniors.org/donate ).