LaCretia Ann Carter was born in Cabool, MO, on October 25, 1936, to Mae Bell Fry Beeler and Henry Beeler. She departed this world on March 23, 2025, at Ozarks Health Center in West Plains, surrounded by family and friends. She was 88 years old.
LaCretia grew up in St. Louis, MO, and married Paul Ray McElroy in 1950, and had three children. Her two girls only lived for a few hours each. Cretia Rae was born first and then Paula Mae. She remarried Claude Larrison and moved to Minnesota where she met cherished friends like Mark Gulbrandson who graduated with her son. After living in Minnesota, she moved to Colorado and enjoyed camping and outdoor living. In Colorado, she would meet what would become her daughter, Candy Patterson and granddaughters, Brittany Hatley (Daniel) and Natalie Patterson (Patrick). Lacretia was a born again Christian and attended the Pomona Christian Church where she met her cherished friends, Willie and Phoebe Hendricks and their children, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, Noah, and Blake. She greatly enjoyed serving her community as a member of The Rebeccas and The Lions Club. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.
Lacretia was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mae; her children, Paul, Paula, and Cretia McElroy; her three sisters, three brothers, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her sister, Connie Beeler; her daughter, Candy Patterson; her granddaughters, Brittany Hatley (Daniel), Natalie Patterson (Patrick); her great grandchildren, Ellie and Gabriel Mac; her nephew, David Zacheis (McElroy) and wife, Nikki; she is further survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, friends, and neighbors.
A memorial service for LaCretia will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Pomona Christian Church with Pastor Marcus Allen officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com.
