Mrs. Cathey Leeper Eldridge, age 82 of Elkin passed away Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Mrs. Eldridge was born September 8, 1927 in Salisbury to Thomas Alexander and Mabel Cathey Leeper. She was preceded in death by her parents. Mrs. Eldridge graduated from Elkin High School, attended Queens College and received a Masters degree from Columbia University in Vocational Guidance. Mrs. Eldridge was a member of First Baptist Church in Elkin, a former guidance counselor at Elkin High School, and a devoted wife and mother. She was a long time volunteer of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and a former member of First Baptist Church of Elkin hand bell group. She was also the first woman in Elkin to receive her solo pilot½s license and did this at the age of 19. Later in life she enjoyed music, playing the piano, and crafts. She is survived by her husband Claude Franklin Eldridge of Elkin; two daughters, Beth Eldridge of Roanoke, Va., and Laura E. Weatherman of Elkin; two sons, Tom Eldridge and wife Cathy of Raleigh, and Matt Eldridge of Elkin; five grandchildren, Adam Weatherman of Cary, Mackenzie, Alex, and Thomas Eldridge of Raleigh, and Jordan Eldridge of Elkin. She is also survived by cousins in the Charlotte area, also special friends Fran and Graham Greene, Linda Ford, and a special sister-in-law Deanie Eldridge. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 29, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in First Baptist Church of Elkin with Dr. Bill Johnson and Rev. Rebecca Maynard officiating. Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Elkin, 110 Gwyn Ave. Elkin, NC. 28621, or Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Avenue Charlotte, NC 28274.
