Nell Smith Eldredge

Nell Smith Eldredge, age 79, a resident of Bradley County, passed away, Thursday morning at a local hospital. Mrs. Eldredge was born in Selmer, (McNairy County) TN and grew up there. She graduated from Selmer High School and received a B.S. degree from Western Kentucky State University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She did post graduate work at the School of Social Work, FL State University in Tallahassee, FL.

Mrs. Eldredge was a social worker specializing in adoptions. During her career of over forty years, she helped with the placements of many children in their permanent families. Over the years she worked for several social agencies including the TN Department of Children's Services, Holt International Children's Services and Holston United Methodist Home for Children.

Mrs. Eldredge was a Christian and an active member of Broad Street United Methodist Church. She attended Rodgers Sunday School Class, Ruth Corbin Circle and volunteered in several ministries of the church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carter Smith and Nola Browder Smith and her husband, Edward "Bud" Eldredge.

She is survived by three children and their spouses: Tom Eldredge and wife, Nancy of Monroe, CT, Ed Eldredge and wife, Debbie of Cleveland, and Linda Lee Eldredge O'Neal and husband, Barry of Cleveland; six grandchildren: Zachary Eldredge, Ben Eldredge, Amy Eldredge, Andy O'Neal and Jennifer O'Neal all of Cleveland and Daniel Eldredge of Monroe, CT; sister, Mary Alice Dobbins of Nashville and several nieces and nephews.