Elizabeth Mcdonough

The world has lost a wonderful, compassionate, loving and caring person, loved by all who knew her. Elizabeth Elder McDonough (Lisa) died from complications of pneumonia at age 80 on November 14, 2018. She was born Elizabeth Elder on May 30, 1938 in Griffin, Georgia. Her parents were Edwin Russell Elder and Elizabeth Hemphill Elder. A lifelong, devout Christian, she was devoted wholeheartedly to the Presbyterian Church both in Griffin growing up and later in Decatur. She attended City of Griffin Schools and completed high school in 1956. Lisa was a very talented pianist. She was the accompanist for the Step Sisters, a popular high school dance trio in Griffin, Georgia and also the Griffin High Glee Club. Lisa and the Step Sisters once performed in New York City. She was later named Griffin High School Coed of the Week for her many contributions to high school life. Lisa was awarded the Curved Bar, the highest award in the Girl Scout Organization. She enrolled at the University of Georgia with a Hugh Hodgson Music Scholarship and also the Griffin Music Club Scholarship. She was tapped for membership in the Honorary National Music Sorority Sigma Alpha Iota where she later served as Secretary and Treasurer. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity where she was named Best All Around Freshman. Lisa later switched her major to radio and television journalism and was awarded membership in the Professional Journalism Fraternity Sigma Delta Chi. Lisa was selected as a charter member in Di Gamma Kappa, a radio and television society, Zeta Phi Eta, an honorary speech society, and Theta Sigma Phi for Journalism. She was once elected as Sports Queen at the University of Georgia. Lisa graduated with honors from the University of Georgia. After graduation she was hired in Atlanta by a top 40 radio station, WAKE, as traffic manager. She later moved to the Georgia Public Television Station WABE and WETV as Traffic Manager. When she moved to Atlanta, her cousin, Nancy Neely, introduced her to Bobby McDonough a graduate of Emory University and a research biologist at CDC. They were married on August 5th 1961. Their marriage lasted 57 loving years. Lisa and Bob have two wonderful children: Rob McDonough, and Beth Eisenmesser. Lisa and Bob moved to Athens, Georgia for Bob to complete his graduate studies. They then moved to Miami, Florida where Bob completed his postdoctoral studies. While in Miami, Lisa's ability to speak Spanish landed her a job with Dow Chemical Company in their Documentation Division.The McDonough family moved back to Atlanta where Lisa went to work at Emory University Medical School Department of Psychiatry where she wrote grants and scheduled classes for medical students and Psychiatry residents. She later joined the Department of Dermatology as the Residency Coordinator. She retired from Emory after 30 years of service. During her tenure in Atlanta, Lisa was President of the Ponce de Leon Heights Civic Club and Secretary of the Magnolia Chapter of the Beleek Club, an Irish fine china collectors society. Lisa was also a long time member of Decatur Presbyterian Church Cancel Choir. She also taught Sunday School Classes there. She is predeceased by her parents Russell and Elizabeth and her brother Jim Elder. Lisa is survived by her husband Bob, two children, Rob McDonough and his wife Cydnee, and Beth Eisenmesser (Lee Eisenmesser, deceased), her grandson Jacob Eisenmesser and granddaughter Ellie Eisenmesser, her Brother Bill Elder and his wife Patti. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Music Ministries of Decatur Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of her life will be held in the Chapel of Decatur Presbyterian Church at 3:00 p.m. on Friday November 30, 2018 with a reception to follow.