Shirley Lavaughn Elliott

Shirley Lavaughn Elliott, daughter of Jackson Guy McCoy and Irene (Rittenhouse) McCoy was born November 18, 1937 in Weston, West Virginia and passed away on September 16, 2016 in Akron, Ohio. She was an only child. Shirley’s early years were not happy ones. Money was tight and the family moved frequently between Ohio and West Virginia wherever her father could obtain employment. Things improved for the better when the family settled in Akron for good. 

Some of the fondest years of her early life were spent in the halls of the old Central High School in Akron. She would frequently say how true it was the way television portrayed the ‘50’s as for her it was always fun and good times and good memories while in school. It was while at Central that she made friendships that lasted her entire lifetime. While at Central she met Harold Elliott who was also an only child. They hit it off right away being kindred spirits. They married June 16, 1956 and spent many happy years together. 

Shirley’s personality was complex. She was high energy, resourceful, decisive, caring, insightful, giving freely of advice and providing observations which would nearly always turn out to be uncannily accurate. She was the emotional “rock” upon which other family members could rely on for advice or comfort. She was also very dependable – if she said she would do something it got done. The flip side of the coin was that she could also be headstrong and stubborn as anyone who knew her can attest. But she was always, always “there” for her family and friends when she was needed. 

Shirley loved to cook and was an excellent baker having few peers and no superiors. No one made better cookies, pies or cakes from scratch. She was also an expert at crochet. She made innumerable Granny squares over the years which were patched together to make afghans. Every family member eventually received their own afghan. She loved to play cards and was a skilled bridge player and also at “set-back” (also known as auction pitch) that she learned in childhood playing countless games with her uncle Ronnie. She was an expert typist and passed her senior typing test with a rating of 102 words per minute without errors. With the advent of electric typewriters her speed increased even more and she was easily able to obtain work as a secretary/typist. She worked as a secretary in many offices around Akron including all of the Tire & Rubber companies. But it was at Goodyear that she felt most at “home.” She retired from Goodyear after many years of service having made many lasting friendships in that time. 

To Shirley family meant everything. She had been extremely close to her own mother and grandmothers and this carried over to her own family. Her happiest years were spent after her retirement when she was able to watch her grandchildren before they went to school and be a part of their lives. She never missed a school performance, little league game or concert. This was the life she always wanted and she cherished every single moment of it. There was never a more thoughtful or loving grandmother. Shirley’s most fervent wish was that her grandson Thomas might be reconciled with her and the rest of the family. Sadly this desire was to go unfulfilled. Let this be a lesson to anyone reading this obituary. Make amends with any family member you might be estranged from. Don’t hesitate – do it now before it’s too late and the chance to do so passes you by. 

Predeceased by her parents; her dedicated husband of 55 years, Harold Elliott; and her dear, dear Aunt Bernie Cawthon who she loved like a mother, she is survived by her loving son, Michael (Susan) Elliott of Akron; grandson, Andrew (Cassie) Elliott of Columbus; grandson, Thomas (Katie) Elliott and great-granddaughter, Eloise Elliott of Canal Fulton; cousins, Donna Oelberg of Falls Church, Virginia, Joseph (Paulette) Cawthon of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Barbara (David) Hammer of Richmond, Virginia, John, Bill and Ernest Ray, Colleen (Vinnie) Matheny, Jim, Gary and David Weyrick and their mother, Helen (Ray) Weyrick. She also leaves behind to mourn her passing her good friends, Ginny Ainscough, Agnes Dixon and Jim Kershner and her special friend and confidant, Janet Loch whose friendship was so close that she regarded her as the sister she never had. 

Funeral service will be held Monday, 1 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron (Ellet), Ohio 44312 with Rev. David Weyrick officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m. on Monday.