Danna Joyce McElroy was born Nov. 15, 1932, in Houston, Texas, to parents, Willie Edwin Shelton and Annie Mae Spencer Shelton. She entered Heaven’s Gates on July 20, 2026, at the age of 93.
Danna graduated from the University of Houston with a Master’s Degree in Education. Danna taught school in the Coldspring ISD for many years before her retirement.
Her teaching and investing in the lives of children throughout the many years will be greatly missed. Danna, along with her husband Bro. Roland McElroy were pastors at the Magnolia Baptist Church and the Evergreen Baptist Church. She always stood by her husband’s side as a pastor and shared her great faith in God.
Her gift from God was being an encourager and she spent her entire life being kind, gentle, and someone who was always lifting up others. Together they both provided a home built on love for each other and a love for God, and shared that with their children.
Danna will be greatly missed by her family, her church family, and the entire Coldspring community. Danna was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Edwin and Annie Mae Shelton; husband, Bro. Roland McElroy; sister, Betty Wade and husband John Wade Jr. She is survived by her beloved children, Vicki Johnson, and Mark McElroy and Susan Rapant; beloved grandchildren, Michael Johnson, Melissa Farid Khamis and Rezq, Lauren Reyes and Leo, Mark McElroy Jr., and Lili McElroy; beloved great-grandchildren, Chloe Johnson Holbrook and Chris, Mercurius Farid Khamis, Roland Reyes, Roman Reyes; great great- grandchild, Elliott Holbrook; beloved brother-in-law, Milton McElroy and Patricia; beloved niece, Lois Thompson and Blackie; beloved nephew, John Wade III.
Visitation will be on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Coldspring from 5-8 p.m. Funeral Service is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Evergreen Baptist Church at 10 a.m. with Bro. Dalton Currie officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.