Frances Edith Pye McElveen's Obituary
Frances Edith Pye McElveenFrances Edith Pye McElveen, 92, passed away at home on Monday, February 20, 2017, in DeRidder, LA. She was born February 1, 1925, in Fullerton, Louisiana, but lived most of her life in DeRidder, LA, which she loved.There will be no public services so the family requests no flowers of any kind. If you wish, please feel free to donate to the charity of your choice in her nameMrs. McElveen was class Valedictorian of DeRidder High School in 1942. She attended LSU in Baton Rouge and was awarded a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1946. She was very active while at LSU. She was a member of Honorary Organizations; Alpha Lambda Delta (President), Mortar Board (Treasurer), Beta Gamma Sigma, and Phi Kappa Phi. She served as Vice-President of the LSU College of Commerce. She was also a member of the Chi Omega social sorority, serving as Vice-president there. Mrs. McElveen also graduated from the School of Financial Public Relations held at Northwestern University campus in Chicago, Illinois. She began her career in banking as a teller at the City Savings Bank of DeRidder.She married Huey P. McElveen with whom she raised their son, Herbert H. McElveen, and with whom she engaged in successful businesses during their lives together. After 23 years at the City Savings Bank, they owned a Chevrolet dealership in Newton, Texas, where she received the highest award as Business Manager and the dealership was recognized 1ST in Sales for their district. Following that, they organized and obtained a charter for the National Bank of Commerce in DeRidder in 1977 which merged with Bank One in 1998 when Mrs. McElveen retired from banking. It later sold to Chase Bank which it remains today.Mrs. McElveen was involved in several civic activities including the DeRidder Business & Professional Women’s Club (President and Woman of the Year honors), the DeRidder Industrial Development Board (Vice-President), DeRidder Gardenettes, and the American Rose Society. Mrs. McElveen was a lover of roses and maintained about 100 rose bushes at her home for many years. A lot of celebrations in town were made more beautiful by the roses she gave freely to those who asked.She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of DeRidder.Mrs. McElveen was predeceased by her parents, Herbert H. and Mary Vivian Wintle Pye, her husband, Huey P. McElveen, her son, Herbert H. McElveen, and her sister, Mary Catheryn Pye Condren. Survivors include her nephew and wife, John H. and Sharla Condren, her niece and husband, Mary Nell Condren and Ronald P. Williams, along with other nieces and nephews.The family wishes to thank caregivers, Debbie Johnson and Edith Harris, who were with her from the beginning to the end. Also, a huge thanks to Dr. Henry Carter for his long-term care and Dr. Chris Granger who seamlessly provided her care after Dr. Carter retired. Additionally, thank you to Bridget Gates who consistently sent cards which Mrs. McElveen loved to receive and to Marietta Jenkins who kept her in chocolate and sweets. Services are under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder.
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