Elsie Pate Monroe

Elsie Pate Monroe, 87, of Biscoe, North Carolina, died on Monday, October 8, 2012, at Sandy Ridge Memory Care in Candor, North Carolina. A graveside service will be held at Bensalem Presbyterian Church in Eagle Springs on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at 4:00 PM with the Rev. Wes Brandon officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at Phillips Funeral Home, 216 South Main Street, Star, NC. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, John David and eldest son, David Kenneth. She is survived by son, Charles Timothy (Helen); daughters, Carolyn Monroe-West (John), and Laura Monroe Harris (David); grandchildren, Elizabeth Lariviere (Josh), Sarah Monroe (Kurt), Katherine Harris, Matthew West, and Amanda West; and the light of her life, great-grandson, Monroe Lariviere. Her family was her cornerstone and after the loss of her brothers and sister, she maintained a close loving relationship with their children. Aunt Elsie was a favorite of her nieces and nephews. Elsie was born in Bladenboro, North Carolina on September 7, 1925. She was the 5th of 6 children, who have all preceded her in death with the exception of her younger sister, Thelma Pate Sanford of Raleigh, NC. She spent her early years in Laurinburg and Wagram, NC, where she graduated high school in 1942. Elsie married David Monroe on December 27, 1946 and moved to Biscoe, NC where together they built Foundry Service Incorporated. She was active in her community volunteering as a "Gray Lady," Women's club member, and the committee to save the old Biscoe School. Elsie was a lifelong Presbyterian and a member at Biscoe Presbyterian Church and Bensalem Presbyterian Church where she was active until recent years. As an avid lover of handwork, her family has a lasting legacy of beautiful embroidery, crocheted, and knitted memories to share. Elsie was passionate about current events, history, and politics in particular. Anyone who knew Elsie knew her to be opinionated yet informed and not shy about sharing her thoughts. As a great lover of animals and with a profound abhorrence of cruelty, she admired the work of the Humane Society, so in honor of her and in lieu of flowers, the family would like donations sent to: The Montgomery County Humane Society, 1150 Okeewemee Road, Troy, NC 27371 or hospice of your choice. The family would like to thank the caring staff of Sandy Ridge Memory Care and FirstHealth Hospice for their love and support during this trying time. They are indeed the angels among us. A graveside service will be held at Bensalem Presbyterian Church in Eagle Springs on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at 4:00 PM with the Rev. Wes Brandon officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at Phillips Funeral Home, 216 South Main Street, Star, NC.