Elnora Derry Gandy

Mrs. Elnora Derry Gandy, 89, of Darlington, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Lexington Medical Center of Lexington, South Carolina.

Mrs. Elnora D. Gandy, daughter of the late Harley and Rena Poole Derry, affectionately known as “Sister”, was born on February 20, 1932 in Darlington, SC. She peacefully entered her final resting place on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Lexington Medical Center, in Lexington, SC.

Elnora received her formal education in the Darlington County public school system, graduating from Mayo High School. She always bragged about her class of 1952.

At an early age, she was converted, baptized and joined Round O Baptist Church where she worked in different capacities when needed.
Elnora was united in holy matrimony to Charlie Calhoun Gandy, Sr. on March 26, 1953. To this happy union of 57 years two children were born; Debra and Charlie, Jr.

In the early years of their marriage, they moved to Wilmington, Delaware where her husband worked as a landscaper for the Dupont Nemours Family Estate, which was once the private residence of the 46th president, Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
When the family moved further up north, Elnora worked alongside her sister, “Ollie Bell” at the prestigious Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.  The family migrated back to SC where she obtained a position at Nytronics/MSD for 30 years from which she retired. 

She was named The Member of the Year at Round O Baptist Church in 1997 and was a faithful member of Order of the Eastern Star (OES).  She enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading, shopping and being with her family.

Elnora was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie C. Gandy, Sr.; her son, Charlie C. Gandy, Jr.; a sister, Ollie Bell Antrum; and two brothers, James Blake, Sr. and James “Booster” Derry.

Those who shared the joys of life with her and survive to cherish her memories are: a loving and devoted daughter, Debra Gandy of Columbia, SC; two grandchildren, Kimaada (Maurice) McLeod of Raleigh, NC; and Sean C. Campbell of Columbia, SC; one great-grandson, Evan Reese McLeod; one stepson, Hercules Richardson of Coconut Creek, FL; two brothers Heyward (Helen) Derry, Sr. and Clifton (Marie) Derry of Darlington, SC; three sisters-in-law Hannah (Larry) Hough, Blanche Sawyer, of Darlington, SC and Mazie Gandy of Winston-Salem, NC; four brothers-in-law Arthur (Anita) Gandy, James (Julia) Muhammad, Abram (Ivory) Gandy, and Calhoun Gandy, Jr. all of SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

South Carolina arrangements are entrusted to Young & Young Funeral Home, of Hartsville, South Carolina.

North Carolina arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

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