Violes Muriel "Bugs" McElvoy, the son of Viola McCowin McElvoy and the late George McElvoy, was born Jan. 11, 1910, in Cherokee, Kan., and died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter at the age of 97.

On Nov. 5, 1933, he was united in marriage to Ruby Cluck and she died on Jan. 19, 1983.

On July 16, 1983, he was united in marriage to Vestia Estell Stratton Berry and she preceded him in death on Oct. 16, 2005.

Survivors include one daughter, Lucretia Stanley of Sikeston; three sons, Marvin McElvoy of Springfield, Jack McElvoy of Corning, Ark., and Udell McElvoy of Peculiar; one step-daughter, Anna Lou Bienhoff of Fairmont, Ill.; four step-sons, Dallas Berry of Malden, James Berry of Arnold, Sherman Berry of Dexter, and Thomas Berry of O'Fallon; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth McElvoy; two grandchildren; two brothers, Norman McElvoy and Hardy McElvoy; three sisters, Thyra Rockenbaugh, Irene Boone, and Violet Baynes.

Visitation was held after 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at Landmark Pentecostal Church in Malden.

Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at Landmark Pentecostal Church in Malden with Rev. Dale Hill officiating.

Interment followed at Gravel Hill Cemetery in St. Francis, Ark.