Troy Ray Elliott

Troy Ray Elliott, of China Grove, went to be with the Lord, gaining his final reward for a life well served on Saturday, April 05. 2025. He gained his wings to heaven in his home that he so proudly built and kept God as the foundation of his home.

Troy was born November 11, 1934, in Rowan County, which was so appropriate for the life he later walked as a servant to God, his family, our community, and country. He was born the 4th child of 5 to William Raymond and Louise Lipe Elliott. Preceding him in death were both parents, his wife, Lois F. Elliott and son George Ray Elliott. His family circle continued to decrease as his lost his only sister, Mamie E. Brown Moss of SC, and two brothers, Carl William (Mrytle) and Hubert Lee Elliott (Hazel) of China Grove.

Troy began his spiritual learning at Salem Lutheran Church in Salisbury, became a member of First United Methodist Church in China Grove when he married the love of his life, and at the time of his death he was a member of Mt. Zion United Church of Christ in China Grove. During his memberships he served on various committees and capacities as he found his own unique way of using his talents and skills for others to learn about his Lord and Savior.

Troy started working on a farm at a very young age until he moved to delivering newspapers on his bicycle as a teenager. Later, he finally found his gift in Construction, Engineering, and Sales while working for LS Bradshaw and Son Construction, traveling the east coast for PPG Paint and Glass earning the award of top salesman, and later retired as owner and operator of Elliott Glass and Mirror. While working, he put himself through higher education at Kings College, Salisbury Business College, Catawba College, and Glass/Steel Architectural Engineering Training in Kokomo, Indiana which lead to him leaving his footprint on the high rises in downtown Charlotte, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Myrtle Beach, and throughout Rowan County.

He was proud of his baseball pitching career and being able to give the same opportunity to other children while coaching China Grove Little League and later instrumental in starting the South Rowan American Legion Team. Yet that was not enough. Troy also served his country from 1958 to 1966 in the US Army and was honorably discharged as a Ft. Jackson, SC training SGT First Class E6 of the 108th Division of Concord, NC. Other organizations that Troy gave his time as being a member and serving as Commander of Post 146 Landis American Legion, the Nazareth Children’s Home of Rockwell, NC and the NC Home of Disabled Children. Troy displayed his service to others as a China Grove Alterman during the initial years of planning the growth for the town’s future, an active member of the China Grove Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Rowan County Republican Party.

Troy was a cancer survivor from 1993 and maintained his courage of fighting his own personal battle while rallying for a cure through Chronic Lymphoma research.

Troy unconditionally loved his family and enjoyed a rest with trips to the beach, mountains, a good NASCAR race, watching his grandchildren’s sports, and watching his Cincinnati Reds.

Family members left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Troy Ann Donahue (Dennis) of China Grove; his “special chosen daughter” Amanda Skipper Hoover of Sanford, NC; two grandsons, James Kyle (Ashley) Donahue of Mint Hill and Brenton Elliott (Keely) Donahue of China Grove; and four great grandchildren Kaison James and Kinley Joyce Donahue of China Grove and Savannah Ray and Grady Beau Donahue of Mint Hill. Also surviving him is his brother Billy Wayne Elliott (Lyndia) of China Grove and numerous nieces and nephews who all loved him as “Uncle Troy”.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis conducted by Pastor David Franks. Military honors will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. The family will honor him with their private viewing before the service. At other times, the family will reside at the residence.

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association, 4530 Park Rd #240, Charlotte, NC 28209; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, or Carolina Caring Foundation, 3975 Robinson Road Newton, NC 28658.

The family would like to thank the loving care, friendship, and support of “Mr. Troy’s” caregivers, Doris Ingram, Kay Nelson, Elaine Carson-Metcalf, Raine Patterson, and Teresa Rolle.

Online condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com