Elvira Fountain McLaughlin, affectionately known as "Vi" or "Red", was born May 30, 1937 in
Jacksonville, Florida to the late Ruby Mason Levy and Marcus Fountain. She was the second
of four children.
Elvira was educated in the Duval County School System, graduating from New Stanton Senior
High School in 1954. She was the head majorette in the New Stanton Senior High School
Marching Band. She met and married Jesse Wilcox, Sr., and to this union three children were
born, Jesse Jr., Nita and Reuben.
Elvira later met and married Willie McLauglin Jr., and became a caring step-mother to Willie III
and Wanda. She was a loving and devoted wife until Willie's death in May 2002. She worked for
Frito Lay, JOIC, and Sears and Roebuck Corporation as an executive secretary. She retired
from Sears in 1987 at the age of 50.
Elvira's favorite pastime was bowling, during which she won many awards and trophies. She
displayed them proudly in her home. Additionally, Elvira was a member of the Las Amigas
Social Club. She loved being with her club sisters. They traveled together often and celebrated
important milestones among the membership. After many years of being active, the club
disbanded, but Elvira and the club sisters continued to keep in touch.
Elvira loved her family very much. One of her favorite things to do was to celebrate each
birthday personally by sending a special card with a token of love and a sweet birthday
message. She made sure to be a part of important life events, and did not miss an opportunity
to tell each family member how much she loved them. Elvira loved life, loved to laugh, and
loved enjoying special moments with her friends. She never met a stranger.
After a brief illness and a short stay at the River City Rehabilitation Center, Elvira's body grew
tired. On Tuesday morning, September 27, 2022, God called her to rest. She was preceded in
death by her parents, Ruby Mason Levy & Marcus Fountain; husband, Willie McLaughlin Jr.;
son, Reuben LaZarn Wilcox; adopted sons, Herbert St. Clair Charles and Willie "Pahokee"
Roberts; sister, Gwendolyn Fountain Morton; and grandson Darin Wilcox, Sr.
She is lovingly remembered and will always be cherished by her children; Jesse L. (Camay)
Wilcox, Jr. and Nita L. (Matthew) Ray; stepchildren; Willie McLaughlin III and Wanda Lewis;
Adopted Sons & Daughters; Zachary Scott, Dragon, William Earl Kitchings, Siteria Gore,
Darlene Hargrove, Pat Scott and Gesele Lawson; four grandchildren; Celeste (Chris) Bolden,
Don Green, LaZarn (Chloe) Wilcox, Oriel Wilcox; nine great- grandchildren; Jaylen Wilcox,
Christian Bolden, Christopher Wilcox, Troy Wilcox, Darin Wilcox Jr., Melanie Wilcox, D'onne
Green, Don InKosi Green, Kingston Wilcox; one great great grandson; Jacob Pritchett; siblings
Barbara Levy and Ernest Levy, Jr.; The "Sisters-in-Law Club"; Dorothy Wilcox, Doretha Smith,
Dora Smith, Catherine Wilcox, Audrey Hankerson; Brothers-in-Law, a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins and friends; cherished life friends; Carolyn Edwards, Bootsie Gibson, Evetta Townsend,
Marian Whitehead, Elaine Kitchings and Pearl Mackey.