Eleanor attended A.G. Richardson High School and Virginia State University, then received a Master's degree in Biology. She joined Foster Creek Baptist Church at an early age and attended St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Oxon Hill, MD. Eleanor retired after many years of service from the federal government, working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. She also received her mortician's license and established her own business in 1993.

Eleanor was a long-term caregiver for her nephew Davis Yancey. She loved spending time and talking on the phone with her family and friends.

Eleanor leaves to cherish her memories two sisters, Dorothea Barrett (Rayford) of Louisa, VA, Joy Yancey (Griffent) of Rockville, VA, and one brother, Otho McGhee Jr. (Pamela) of Louisa, VA.