Lucy Belle Wright "Cookie" McElroy

Lucy Belle Wright McElroy, fondly known to most as “Cookie,” was born on July 13, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this earth on October 7, 2019, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Cookie was the only child born to the late Norman D. and Lucy Belle Wright of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. A graduate of Kennard High School, Class of 1966, she didn’t stray too far from home to continue her higher education at Maryland State, now known as the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES). In college, Cookie was a majorette in the Maryland State marching band. That is where she met the drum major, Orlando “Crane” McElroy, who would become the love of her life. Cookie and Crane loved hanging out on campus with friends, going to school dances, traveling on band trips, and making weekend visits to see Cookie’s parents. After graduating from college, Cookie worked for Hamilton National Bank in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before moving back to Centreville, Maryland, in 1976. It was then that she took over the home economics department at Queen Anne’s County High School, and her love for teaching blossomed. She enjoyed teaching classes in cooking, restaurant management, sewing, clothing, childcare, gym and various other subjects. By the time of her retirement in 2016, Cookie had taught at all educational levels—elementary, middle and high school—and had worked for the Queen Anne’s County Public School system for 39 years. Never one to let the grass grow under her feet, Cookie was always on the move, volunteering and helping others—and doing so with a smile on her face. She held several positions with the Mercer-Ayers-Wright Missionary Society of Bethel in Centreville, performing mission work throughout the community and lending a helping hand to those in need. Cookie’s continuous and unwavering involvement in the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Centreville truly brought her great joy. She served on the Kitchen Committee, in the Prayer Circle, and in the Missionary Society; and was also a Trustee, Usher and Communion Stewardess. As secretary for the Lucretia Kennard Homemakers Club, she helped with various projects and sewing initiatives. Cookie also volunteered as a judge for the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Fair, and took pleasure in volunteering for the home arts department. Whenever Cookie found a spare moment, she loved providing for others and offering her time or services. She was quick to sew a dress or hem a pair of pants for adults and children alike, and almost never let anyone leave her house empty-handed. She had no qualms about politely forcing anyone to take an extra plate of food or a dessert she just whipped up. Cookie’s pride and joy were her grandchildren—she loved visits from them and spending time with them. Weekends, holidays and trips to Mom Mom’s house were filled with love, laughter, music, cooking and watching her beloved Baltimore Ravens play. Cookie was preceded in death by her mother and father, Norman D. and Lucy Belle Wright. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Orlando “Crane” McElroy of Church Hill, MD; son, Tracy Lee McElroy and daughter-in-law, Deborah Paulus McElroy, of Blacksburg, VA; daughter Niki McElroy Grant, and son-in-law, Dr. Toren Grant of Laurel, MD; daughter Tammy McElroy McNish, and son-in-law, Kenrick McNish, of Charlotte, NC; six grandchildren—Ashley, Meghan, Camryn, Vincent, Avery and Davis; uncle, George “Buck” Pritchett of Annapolis, MD; a host of cousins, relatives and close friends; and three grand-pets, Ansley, Migo and Meadow.

Lucy Belle Wright "Cookie" McElroy

July 13, 1948 - October 7, 2019