Betty Murrell Elrod

Betty Murrell Lawson Elrod, 93, of Douglasville, Georgia passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her side on Saturday, June 5, 2021. One of three children, Mrs. Elrod was born February 27, 1928 to S.C. and Callie Lawson in Toccoa, Georgia. Murrell graduated from Toccoa High School in 1947 and attended Anderson College in Anderson, SC. She married the love of her life, Thomas William (Bill) Elrod, Sr., on February 6, 1951 following his stint with the Marine Corps. The newlyweds made their first home in Toccoa before settling in Cobb County. Together, they started a family in Smyrna, where they lived for many years. Murrell was a charter member of Tillman United Methodist Church and had a prolific career conducting Estate Sales throughout the Metro Atlanta area. Her business flourished for more than fifty years, and her specialized knowledge of antiques made her a highly sought-after expertise in the field. More personally, Murrell had an infectious spirit, and those who knew her were touched by her genuine love for others and pure zest for life. She enjoyed travelling, dressing up for Halloween, and spending time at the lake with her family. Murrell and Bill were a vibrant and fun-loving couple who treasured their family above all else. Mrs. Elrod was dearly loved by four generations of family. She was preceded in death by Bill, her loving husband of 60 years; her parents; brother J.C. Lawson; son Thomas William Elrod, Jr; and grandsons, Todd and Trip Elrod. She is survived by her brother Howell Lawson of Toccoa; daughter, Lesa (Jim) Bressner of Douglasville; and son, Johnny (Denise) Elrod of Dallas. She was lovingly known as “Mimi” to her surviving grandchildren: Brent Bressner, Amy (Steven) Wilson, Brandon (Katie) Bressner, Shannon Ison, Griffin (Allison) Elrod, Kelly (Billy) Carter, and daughter in law Susie Elrod Cheek. She was great-grandmother to Bailey Gill, Bryce Hopkins, Mattie Elrod, Billie Carter, Jaxon Carter, Brentlee Howard, Liam Elrod, and great-great-grandmother to Aspyn and Maverick Hendrix. Her nieces, nephews, and cousins are too numerous to count, but each one is adored. Family meant the world to Murrell. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to one of the following charities: The Tillman House Resource Center, a ministry serving the needs of the community and breaking the cycle of poverty one relationship at a time. Mailing address is 940 Concord Road, SE, Smyrna, GA 30080. Or The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001 (online at alzfdn.org). The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm, Wednesday June 9, 2021 with funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm at Mays Ward in Powder Springs, GA. The family would like to thank Mrs. Elrod’s wonderful caregivers Brenda Blakey, Fran Dobson, and Kesi Robinson as well as Daniel Brown with Amdeisys of Cartersville, GA.

Betty Murrell Elrod

February 27, 1928 - June 5, 2021