Charles T. McElrath

Charles (Binky) Tyrone McElrath was born June 5, 1973 to Charles Tyrone McElrath and Sandra Gaddy in Joliet, Illinois.  He accepted Christ in April 2010 where he joined God’s Gathering Place under the leadership of Apostle George Kimbrough.  He was active by driving the church van and picked up people young and old which he really enjoyed.  It was during this time he learned to understand the principle of giving tithes and offerings and began to enjoy working with the various age groups.

He met the love of his life and soul mate, Hope Thigpen and they were united in marriage on June 12, 1999.  They were blessed with two beautiful children, Nishae and Noble.

He attended Fairmount Elementary School and he graduated from Joliet Township High School where he excelled as a brilliant, mathematical genius.

He was employed by CCI. He loved taking care of his wife and family. He enjoyed spending a lot of time with his sister Tiffany, playing cards.  He was a no-nonsense type of guy.  He had an aura about him that would bring everyone in his presence to attention. When he spoke, he spoke quietly and gently and he said what he meant, and meant what he said.  He never raised his voice. He came from humble beginnings and he had a strong desire for his nieces, nephews and cousins to excel to be greater than he was. He always had his family’s best interest at heart, and anyone else he came in contact with.  He had a love for all people. He had a special love for his grandmother, Ester Mae Bradley and his mother, Sandra Gaddy. 

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Stonewall Bradley; his grandfather, Troy Lee McElrath, Sr; his grandmother, Marlene G. McElrath; his father-in-law, Pastor Samuel Thigpen and mother-in law, Annie Louise Thigpen.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Elizabeth Hope Thigpen-McElrath; his children, Nishae Thigpen and Noble McElrath, grandson, Jamarion Parrot; his mother, Sandra Gaddy; his step-father, Leandre Bradley, Sr.; grandmother, Ester Mae Bradley; his sisters, Tianne Jenkins, Tiffany Jenkins, and Cynthia (Frank) Edmond; sisters-in-law, Emma Thigpen, Gloria (Harges) Fitch, Cassandra (William) Foster, Lanita (Gary) Marble, Jamie (Michael) Adjei; brothers, Janara Bradley and Leandre Bradley, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Calvin Thigpen, Sr., McKinley Thigpen, Frank (Barbara) Thigpen, Sammye (Carlotte) Thigpen and Richard Thigpen; aunts, Debbie (Joush) Wilbon, Brenda (Richard) Reynolds, Selena Hollins, Enochia Herring, Olivia McElrath, Shelia (Michael) Cole, Mary Campbell, Renne (Lamontrose) Bradley-Love; uncles, Troy Lee (Renee) McElrath, Jr., David McElrath, Calvin Carter, Phillip Fischer, John Campbell, Malcolm Campbell, Brian (Michelle) Campbell, and Melvin (Zelma) Bradley; twelve godchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. 

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