Elaine Pelkey-Herrick

Burlington - Elaine Helms Weaver Pelkey-Herrick, 78, received her wings on the 29th of April 2019.  She was born in Lincoln, NC on September 23, 1940 to the late Howard Reece Helms and Grace Hazel Joines Havis.

Elaine graduated from Elon College High School and attended Guilford Technical Community College.  She spent many years working in the advertising industry and most of those years were at The Holt Group.  She left advertising to work in the family owned Herrick and Company.

Elaine was an accomplished artist; she started painting at an early age.  She was primarily self-taught but did study under Mary Lee Earls at Guilford Technical Community College and Betty Tyler in Burlington. Her past affiliations include the United Arts Council, Greensboro Artist Guild, Randolph Arts Guild, Chatham Arts Council and the N.C. of Arts Incubator in Siler City, where she was an instructor in acrylic painting until she relocated to Holden Beach.  Over a period of 47 years, her artwork has been shown in galleries, at jewelry shows, open member events, art festivals and numerous art events. She was artist of the month for 5 years in a row at the Moses Cone Hospital Art Gallery in Greensboro.  In late 2008 Elaine moved from Holden Beach to Burlington where she became a member of the Chapel Hill Art Gallery, The Alamance Artisans Guild, and The Burlington Artist League. While painting was a passion of hers, politics was a huge part of her life. Elaine was also an avid reader, had a thrill for travel and enjoyed going on many cruises. She was happy wherever there was water so she could fish; the beach was a place she loved to go.  Elaine was the happiest when she had all three of her sons and their family with her.  She loved spending time with her family and all the get-togethers they would have, where there was singing, games of Scrabble, Jeopardy and card games…and she almost always won!  This was such a highlight for her.

Elaine is survived by her sons, Gary Weaver and wife Vicki of Madison; she relied heavily on Gary for all her comedy; Robert Pelkey and wife Kira of Asheboro; she enjoyed many game nights with Robert and always loved beating him; Richard Pelkey of the home; he has been her care taker and her personal political analyst for many years; a sister, Mickie Ring of Burlington, whom she described as funny, smart and the best “Sissy” ever; a half-brother, Chad Helms of Shelby, and her special friend, Kathy Alderman; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Roy Wesley Weaver, Jr. and a daughter, Denise Renee Weaver-Pelkey Smith.

The family will receive friends from 11:00am to 11:45am Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory.  The celebration of life service will be held at 12 Noon Thursday in the Lowe Funeral Home Chapel with a reception following the service.

In Lieu of flowers Elaine requested that donations be made to the Children’s Museum of Alamance County, 217 S. Main St. Graham, NC 27253 or to The Burlington Artist League Gallery, 309 Huffman Mill Rd. Suite 340 Burlington, NC 27215.