Ermelina Albao Elefante

Ermelina (Mely) Albao Elefante, 92, peacefully entered eternal rest at her home with her family on September 11, 2024. She was born on September 8, 1932, in Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, as the youngest of six children of Mamerto Solomon Albao and Tomasa Pimentel Albao. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and sister; her loving husband of 64 years, Sinforoso (Sammy) Elefante; and grandson, Samuel Cole Rowland.

On August 4, 1954, she married Sammy becoming a “Navy Wife”, the toughest job in the Navy. In 1957, she left the Philippines and arrived in Annapolis, MD, to join Sammy to start a new life in America with Marianne, their two-year old daughter and all her families’ possessions in three Samsonite suitcases. Typical of Navy wives, she was often raising small children by herself in her new country with the help of life-long friends and neighbors. In 1972, Sammy retired from the Navy and the family returned to Charleston, a previous assignment.

Mely worked with the Navy Exchange and retired from the Army Air Force Exchange Service. She was an exceptional, professional florist, and for many years she managed the Charleston Navy Exchange Flower Shop. The flowers and plants from her home garden were often requested for friends and neighbors’ weddings.

She enjoyed watching three generations grow and flourish. Mely was so generous often giving spending money to a grandchild or her middle-age children after a ball game or merely in passing with a written note on the envelope, “My endless love, Mom.”

Mely fluently spoke several Filipino dialects and Spanish often translating for customers at work. In retirement, Mely and Sammy traveled around the world, but they most enjoyed simple family dinners and the annual family reunion at Folly Beach. She enjoyed fishing and would often catch two fish at a time removing the hook without pliers. Even at 90 years old, she maintained a spotless patio deck and gardens.

Mely was a remarkable wife, mother, and grandmother and with God’s help and the virtues of faith, hope, and love was able to overcome being an orphan at an early age, living in the Philippines during World War II, and coming to America to successfully raise three generations. Mely provided her children and later grandchildren with the opportunities she was unable to have. She displayed unconditional love to her family and was a fitting example and rolemodel for all who had the honor to know and be loved by her.

She is survived by her daughter, Marianne (Ernie) Rowland; son, Ely (Lana) Elefante; son, Reynaldo (Alison) Elefante; and daughter, Janet (Paul) Daniels. Her grandchildren are: Mica (Andrew); Megan (Brad); Mallory; Nicholas (Emily); Nicole (Bryan); Ava; Caroline; Ellen; Emma; and Annie. Her great-grandchildren are: Lyla, Elyse, Lucas, Mckenna, Lily, Sophia, and Rowen. Her unconditional love for her family and self-sacrifice will be remembered for generations.

Mely’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at Saint John’s Catholic Church, 3921 St. Johns Avenue, North Charleston 29405, on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Saint John’s Catholic Church, North Charleston. Please join the family for Mely’s celebration of life at St. John’s Hall following interment.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc.