Obituary of Elaine Battles Easterling

Mrs. Elaine Battles Easterling departed this life at her home, and began her journey unto God's Eternal Kingdom on September 7, 2009, with her husband of 51 years at her bedside. Funeral services will be at her home church, the Ozark Baptist Church, at 2:00 P. M. on Thursday, September 10, 2009 with her pastor Reverend Greg Aman, and a friend of many years, Reverend Fred Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Sykes Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, on Highway 10 east of Clio, with Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at Holman Funeral Home in Ozark from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. Wednesday evening. Elaine was born September 30, 1928 in Ranger, Texas, and married William B. Easterling on July 12, 1958 in Turner Town, Texas. She was preceded in death by her father, Burnie Monroe Battles, her mother, Clarice Lovett Battles, and her brother, Burnie Frank Battles. Survivors include her husband, Reverend William B. Easterling of Clio; one brother, Fred Battles of Dallas, Texas; one sister-in-law, Mary Helen Battles of Hamilton, Texas. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Elaine was a graduate of New London High School in New London, Texas. In March of 1937, while attending New London High School, an explosion occurred which resulted in the death of over 300 students and faculty members. The memory of this remained fresh on her mind at all times. Upon graduating from high school, she received a scholarship to attend Mary Harden Baylor, a Baptist School for girls. At Mary Harden Baylor she was elected vice president of the student body, vice president of the BSU, and listed among the Who's Who of College Students. In her senior year she was awarded the Stella P. Ross Memorial Award for being chosen the outstanding Christian student on campus. She has done post-graduate studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Texas Christian University. She has taught school in Fort Worth, Texas, Albany, Georgia, Daleville, and Fort Rucker, Alabama. Over the years she and her husband have cared for over 60 dogs that have been dropped off near their country home. Each one was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and then cared for until its death. They have never owned a dog or cat by choice, but the ones dropped off were given a home. Flowers will be accepted, or if you would like to remember Elaine, may we suggest that you make a gift to a humane society, and if someone drops off a dog or a cat near your home take it in; and if you like you may name it Elaine for a girl or Bill for a boy; or if you prefer to the charity of your choice. Service Information