Armeida M. (Cousins) McElravy

Armeida M. McElravy, 100, a long time well-known Karns City resident went to be with the Lord Wednesday morning, September 21, 2022 in the comfort of her home while surrounded by her loving family.

Armeida was born in Adrian, Armstrong Co. on May 16, 1922.  She was the daughter of the late McClellan K. and Adda M. Roudebush Cousins.

She was a well-respected long time member of the Karns City Church of God of Prophecy, where she taught Sunday School, was a leader of the Women’s Missionary Band, and held various other positions within the church throughout her 72 years of membership.  Armeida enjoyed music and singing and especially enjoyed singing in church with her sisters, The Cousins Sisters Singers.  Her favorite holiday was Christmas.  She was a prayer warrior, read her Bible daily and was always ready to witness of her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Armeida possessed a strong work ethic and reminded the family often that she had been working since she was ten years old.  In her earlier years, Armeida and her late husband participated in a food ministry for shut-ins.  She loved Lipton tea and drank it often, collecting cups and frogs.  She was an excellent cook and was well-known at family reunions for her delicious baked beans and plum pudding. Armeida was proud to be the first grandchild on the Roudebush side of the family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a long time Church of God of Prophecy pastor, Rev. Charles R. McElravy Sr., whom she married in Cumberland, MD in 1938.  Rev. McElravy passed away on November 11, 1989.

Surviving are her children, Shirley Ann Shepard of Karns City, Rick V. McElravy and his wife, Karen, of Chicora, Regis T. McElravy, Rudy A. McElravy (Sandy Kepple), and Rodney K. McElravy and a daughter-in-law, Sharon McElravy, all of Karns City, as well as a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; a brother, Virgil Cousins and his wife, Sandy, of Karns City; four sisters,  Betty Jane Hutchinson of Chicora, Joan Barger, to whom Armeida was affectionately “Mike”, of Karns City, Carol L. Hutchinson and her husband, David, of Butler, and Sherry L. Gibson and her husband, Robert “Bob” of Butler; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Robert Jr. and Randy Sr., as well as two sisters, Eleanor Cousins and Henrietta McElravy, to whom Armeida was affectionately “Peter Michael”; a brother, McClellan K. “Bub” Cousins Jr.; a  granddaughter, Colleen Shepard McDevitt,  and a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The family would like to thank Armeida’s caretakers, Life Butler Co., especially Tammy Cochran and Armeida’s RN, Sue Rodgers.

Friends will be received at the Karns City Church of God of Prophecy from 10 a.m. – 12 Noon and 2 – 4 p.m. Friday.  A funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. with church pastor, Bishop Alan Ion, Rev. O.J. Roudebush, and Armeida’s brother, Virgil Cousins, officiating.  Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Chicora.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Karns City Church of God of Prophecy, 1510 Kittanning Pike, Karns City, PA 16041.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City.  Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

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