Elaine Jean Harkrider, 80, passed away on December 3, 2016 in Nacogdoches, Texas. Mrs. Harkrider was born on March 24, 1936, the daughter of Edwin Henry Fredrick Schulze and Rose Martha Henneman Schulze. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Robert Harkrider officiating. Elaine graduated from East High School in Denver, Colorado, and then attended Abilene Christian College where she met the love of her life, David Harkrider. They married December 14, 1954 and spent a wonderful 53 years together until his passing in 2009. She was a member of the Church of Christ and taught Sunday School her entire life. Her passion was her family. We called her Mamaw. Everybody did. Because that's who she was - Mamaw. Mamaw loved the Lord. She loved the Lord and his work. And she loved her family. She had three children, but she counted five, including the two daughters she gained through marriage. She had six grandchildren, again, nine, adding three more through marriage. Then came her eight great-grandchildren. She was so proud of all her children and felt comfort to know they were all striving to be faithful to the Lord. She moved to Nacogdoches three short months ago, after living in Colorado for most of her life, and while she loved every minute of it, she said that her next move would be to heaven. In those few months, she touched the lives of many through her kindness, her gentleness, her sincere interest in others â€" something the family has always known but takes comfort in knowing others saw her the same way. We have fond memories of her card playing ability. Hand and foot was a favorite holiday tradition. She could keep us laughing with her coy way of being the sweet, poor old grandmother when in fact she was pretty sharp in her play. Her pantry would be stocked with special cookies and treats for her grandchildren. Spoiling them was a job she took serious. She thought she could talk her way out of anything. Once, she took her favorite hand lotion and almost caused us to miss the plane because she was adamant the TSA agent should let her keep it! She smiled and acted surprised every year as she looked in her stocking and found a bag of cough drops! She played Cinderella in the kitchen, would go to all the ball games, loved secret Taco Bell stops, loved going on road trips - after she got there. Of course, she had to "help" the driver the whole way up and down the mountain! Her silly side demonstrated in the orange pumpkin dress she wore at Halloween â€" there are so many fond memories we all have and share. These will get us through this sad time and be cherished for a lifetime. "You know who you are, and you know what you can do," she would say to her grandchildren. We will miss her phone calls, and seeing her rocking on the porch with our Papaw. Mamaw and Papaw were a great pair. She took care of him, and him her. Papaw called her 'Mother Fear" but he would reassure her that everything would work out. But above all, Mamaw loved the Lord. She devoted herself to her bible studies and spoke often of His wondrous Word. Her life was one of a righteous, faithful woman â€" one in which stood as an example to both young and old. We will miss seeing her rock on the porch with a bible in her hand and Dewey at her feet. She will be missed, more than any words can express. But she's been working her whole life for this, for Heaven, and now she is home. She is with Papaw and with her Creator, and He is taking care of her. We love and miss you, Mamaw. Mrs. Harkrider is survived by her sons, John David Harkrider and wife, Jenell of Nacogdoches, and Paul David Harkrider and wife, Jana of Cypress, Tx.; Daughter, Wendy Lee Harkrider of Nacogdoches; Brother, Dr. Paul Schulze and wife, Marilyn of Stephenville, Tx; Father-In-Law, J.D. Harkrider of Nacogdoches; Grandchildren, Ross David Harkrider, James David Harkrider, Conrad David Harkrider, Colin David Harkrider, Jordan David Harkrider and Sydney D Harkrider; Great-grandchildren, Beaux David Harkrider, Emmett James Harkrider, Chase Donald Harkrider, Brooklynn Kate Harkrider, Layna Claire Harkrider, Nora Belle Harkrider, Hensley Blou Harkrider, and Denver Craig Harkrider. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Rawson Harkrider, her parents, and one brother, Dr. Donald Edwin Schulze. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society 8111 North Stadium Drive #100 Houston, Texas 77054. The Harkrider family is being served by Laird Funeral Home. To convey condolences or sign an online register, please visit www.lairdfh.net.