Howard Isaac Mcelyea

Howard Isaac Mcelyea, 87, of Benton, Ark., passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2010. He was born January 20, 1923, in North Little Rock to the late Cleve and Rhilda McElyea. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Helen R. McElyea; his sister, Cora Bledsoe; and his brothers, Alvin and Harold McElyea. Howard served his country in World War II, with the Coast Guard, where he made 22 trips across the North Atlantic Ocean aboard a Navy escort ship. He was also a high-ranking amateur boxer while in the service. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Howard is survived by two sisters, Jewel Alberson of Sherwood and Irene McCullah of Howe, Okla.; two daughters, Stefanie McPherson of Benton and Cathy Faulkner of Little Rock; seven grandchildren, Helen Lovell of Little Rock, Natalie Durham of Bryant, Nathan Faulkner of Little Rock, Tina McClendon of Little Rock, Cynthia Posey of Philadelphia, Miss., Kevin McPherson of Little Rock, and Steven McPherson of Alexander; and 10 great-grandchildren. Visitation (6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29) and funeral services (2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30) will be held at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St. in Little Rock. To sign the online guestbook go to www.griffinleggetthealyroth.com.