Nadine Elder

Nadine Elder, 96, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and matriarch of the Family, met her Lord and Savior on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. Nadine was born in Posey, Texas on November 22, 1928 to Lois and Kyle Hart on the family farm. Nadine, along with her three sisters, grew up during the Great Depression. Although they didn’t have much, her parents created a Christ-centered and loving home life. Nadine’s mother took her daughters to the Lubbock library where they studied and read for several hours. This created a life-long love of reading that Nadine had until she lost her vision.

Nadine met her husband, Grady Lee Elder Jr, in high school. They went on to Texas Tech and married on August 8, 1948, in Slaton, Texas. They had an amazing 60-year marriage! Grady’s career as Chamber of Commerce manager started in Spur and moved the Elder family to Brownfield, Snyder, Mineral Wells, San Angelo and Plainview. They finally retired in Destin, FL. Through all the moves, Nadine was the charming and dedicated wife who settled the family into each new location; she was the heartbeat of the family.

Nadine’s greatest treasures were her two sons, Grady and John, along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You never met a more adoring and devoted mother, grandmother, or great-grandmother. “Dean Dean”, as she was called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, would spoil each child with their favorite dishes every time they came for a visit. Dean Dean had a love of cooking, perfecting the famous “Dean’s Rum Cake”. She also enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, travelling with Grady, hosting large family get-togethers, talking for hours on the phone with her sisters, and studying the Bible. Nadine always had the most gorgeous backyard, she spent hours on her hands and knees gardening. She also enjoyed working as a volunteer through the Shannon Hospital Auxiliary. Nadine loved to take pictures, and made sure her family had multiple photo albums to commemorate all of the wonderful times together. Dean Dean loved the Lord, and said the best decision of her life was when she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior as a young girl. Nadine moved back to San Angelo, TX in 2016, she made it very clear to the next generation how important a relationship with Jesus Christ is.

Nadine is survived by her son, John Stephen Elder of San Augustine, TX; daughter-in-law, Connie Elder of Destin, FL; five grandchildren, Jason (Kristin) Elder of Destin, FL, Elizabeth (David) Chambers of San Angelo, TX; Ross (fiancé Laura) Elder of Chattanooga, TN; Stephen (Wynne) Elder of Bryan, TX and Alexandrea Elder of Houston, TX. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren; two sisters: Francene James of Lubbock and Linda (Bob) of Fort Worth, and many nieces and nephews. Nadine also had a very special bond with her former daughters-in-law, Martha Elder and Sherry Donovan.

Nadine is preceded in death by her husband, Grady Lee Elder Jr., her son, Grady Lee Elder III, her parents, Lois and Kyle Hart, her sister, Juanell Johnson, and two grandchildren, Scarlett and Savannah Beasley.

We want to give a special thanks to Nadine’s wonderful caregivers: Mandy Sosa, Viola Pena, Monica Gutierrez and Pat Chappa. Also, to Dr. John Harvey and Dr. Rudy Haddad for their extra care and attention over the years. Memorials in her honor can be made to the American Cancer Society or Meals for the Elderly.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, April 27 at Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas with Pastor Chris Curran officiating and under the direction of Harper Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be: Jason Elder, Ross Elder, Stephen Elder, Lawson Chambers, David Chambers and Kevin McGinnis.