In Memoriam: Mimi Elrod, Former W&L First Lady and Associate Director of Special Programs Elrod worked at Washington and Lee University for 22 years before becoming the first female mayor of Lexington, Virginia.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
April 3, 2025

Mimi Milner Elrod, former first lady at Washington and Lee University and associate director of Special Programs, died March 25, 2025. She was 81.

Mimi Elrod was born Jan. 30, 1944, in Atlanta as the youngest of five children to Benjamin Charles Milner and Eleanor O’Beirne Milner. From early in her life, she cultivated a love of community and learning. She married John William Elrod in 1963, and in 1966, she earned her Bachelor of Science from Oglethorpe University. While her husband pursued graduate school, Mimi Elrod began a career in education, teaching junior high school in Harlem, New York.

In 1971, the Elrods moved to Ames, Iowa, where John Elrod taught philosophy at Iowa State University. Mimi Elrod furthered her education and earned a master’s degree in 1977 and a Ph.D. in 1980 in early childhood development. In 1984, the Elrods moved to Lexington, Virginia, when John Elrod became dean of the College at W&L.

Mimi Elrod started working for the university in 1986 in the Office of Admissions. In 1990, she moved to the Office of Special Programs, the former name of Lifelong Learning, as the assistant director and became associate director the following year. Under Special Programs, she also became the director of Summer Scholars. Summer Scholars was a four-week program offered to incoming high school seniors to prepare them for the academic rigors of college.

In 1995, she became the university’s first lady as John Elrod was named the 22nd president of W&L. She was known to invite countless students over to Lee House and host coffees on the front porch with faculty members. While continuing her position in Special Programs, she worked as a child and family development consultant and contributed to academic journals in developmental psychology. In 2002, the university awarded her a Doctor of Letters.

John Elrod died in 2001 after a long battle with cancer. Mimi Elrod continued to work at the university until retiring in 2009 after 22 years of service.

She embarked on a second career in local politics and gained an appointment to complete an unfinished term on Lexington’s City Council in 2003. In 2006, voters elected her to a full term. Two years later, she made history as the first female mayor of Lexington, a position she held until 2016. As mayor, she championed infrastructure improvements, education initiatives — including the renovation of Waddell Elementary School — and the economic revitalization of the historic downtown. She was instrumental in passing the 2011 Flag Ordinance.

She also gave back to the community by serving on and chairing numerous nonprofit boards including the Rockbridge Mental Health Association, the Rockbridge Area Community Services and Project Horizon. She was also involved with the Free Clinic, the Arc and the Women in Technology program for local schools. She also was an elder at Lexington Presbyterian Church and a gubernatorial appointee to the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia.

Mimi Elrod is survived by her sons, Adam Elrod and Joshua Elrod (Francile), and five grandchildren, Emmett Nocton, Madeleine Nocton, Adam Sloan Elrod, John Elrod and Sierra Elrod. She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years, John.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. June 7, 2025, at Lexington Presbyterian Church. A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. that evening at 204 Woods Edge Drive in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to local organizations that protect vulnerable people, support early childhood education and promote social justice.

Mimi Elrod’s full obituary was published in The News-Gazette.