Iola McElroy Otis

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Iola was a loving and devoted woman who dedicated her life to her family and her community.

It is with great sorrow that the Family of Iola "Sis" McElroy Otis, a longtime resident of Chalmette, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the age of 85 at Greenbrier Community Care Center in Slidell, Louisiana.

Born on Friday, May 23, 1941, in New Orleans, she was the cherished daughter of the late Maybel Mary Rome and William Albert McElroy. Iola was a loving and devoted woman who dedicated her life to her family and her community. Throughout her life, she shared 28 years of marriage with her first husband, the late Edward F. Otis Jr., and later found companionship in marriage with the late Gregory Spears Sr.

Iola was well-known and well-liked in her parish through her years of dedicated work. She brought her warm smile and friendly nature to her time working at Commodity Credit, McDonald’s, Garden Bowl Snack Bar, and Blue Dot Marine. Prior to her time at Greenbrier Community Care, she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with friends at the St. Bernard Council on Aging.

Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She was the loving mother of Edward Otis III (Lisa), Claudette Watkins (Glenn), Kimberly Acosta (Brian), and Beth Schubert (Alex). Sister to Ula Mae Spencer, John McElroy, William McElroy, the late Curtis McElroy, and the late Frances Antill. Iola was the proud and adoring grandmother of Kristie, Jordan, Edward III "Teddy", Chelsea, Payton, Angelique, Jacquelyn, Melissa, Kristina, Briana, Yvette, Alex Jr, Kasey, Brittany and Gabrielle, and a doting great-grandmother to 36 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.

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She will be remembered for her kind heart, her hard work, and the deep love she had for her expansive family.

She will be remembered for her kind heart, her hard work, and the deep love she had for her expansive family.

A Celebration of Iola's Life will be held on Saturday, November 7th, 2026, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 2825 Paris Road, Chalmette, Louisiana at 2:00 PM.

The family has placed her arrangements in the compassionate care of LN Hughes Funeral Services, where every detail is handled with warmth and grace.