Thelma Mae Daniel Elrod, 90, of Demorest, Georgia, took her heavenly flight home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Born in Demorest on January 4, 1936, Thelma was the beloved daughter of the late Alonzo Lafayette Daniel, Sr. and Mattie Mae Mullinax Daniel. A lifelong resident of the community she cherished, she graduated from Clarkesville High School with the Class of 1953 and went on to live a life defined by service, faith, and devotion to those she loved.
Thelma retired from the Stephens County Training Center after many years of dedicated work, touching countless lives through her kindness and commitment. She also served her community faithfully by working the voting polls for many years, continuing until her health no longer allowed. Her civic spirit reflected her deep care for her neighbors and her hometown.
A woman of many interests, Thelma was a member of the North Georgia Rock & Mineral Society and found great joy in making jewelry and traveling. Yet, above all her accomplishments and hobbies, her greatest joy came from her family. She treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, pouring love, wisdom, and encouragement into each generation.
Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. As a devoted member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville, Thelma lived her beliefs daily, offering a quiet but powerful example of grace, humility, and steadfast trust in the Lord.
Thelma’s legacy is one of unwavering love, quiet strength, and faithful service. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey H. Elrod; her sister, Mary Lou Jackson; and her brothers, Oscar Daniel, Lonnie Daniel, Jr., and Ralph Daniel.
She leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory: her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and M.J. Zimmerman; her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Laura Elrod; her sisters, Lucille Nation and Zoella Thomas; her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Queen Daniel; her grandchildren, Holli Usher, Jeremy and LaTisha Usher, Chad and Kelly Usher, Maribeth and Seth Frady, and Mattie and Cody Shore; her great-grandchildren, Judah Usher, Henry Usher, Hayes Usher, Charlee Usher, Haddie Usher, Bo Stephen Shore, and Charlie Jesse Shore; and one precious great-grandchild on the way.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home, with Rev. Chad Usher officiating. Interment will follow at Return Baptist Church Cemetery.
An online guest registry is available for the Elrod family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org or to Gideons International, c/o the Habersham North Camp, P.O. Box 1855, Clarkesville, GA. 30523
McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.
