Jewell Elaine Vandagriff

Jewell Elaine Vandagriff, 93, died Monday, February 16, 2017 in Weatherford. Elaine was the daughter of J. Roy and Jewell Jones Vandagriff. She was born November 2, 1923 in Fort Worth. Elaine was a very active person in her 93 years but is probably best known for her work in education. She taught first grade at Aledo for 26 years and the district named the elementary school on FM 1187 for her. Elaine delivered the graduation address for her first class graduating from high school and the annual was dedicated to her. Weatherford College selected her as Woman of the Year in 1977 and Weatherford High School chose her as distinguished alumnae in 2003. After graduating from Weatherford High School in 1941, she became a “Rosie the Riveter” at Consolidated Aircraft. Elaine worked at the post office for two years after the war while attending Weatherford College, where she graduated and was a Phi Theta Kappa. She graduated from Howard Payne College in 1950 before attending Southwestern Seminary, where she earned an MA in Religious Education. Elaine was always interested in writing and served as society editor for the Weatherford Democrat in 1952 and 1953. She also wrote a history of Aledo and used her talent in preparing books for her students. Active in the North Side Baptist Church where she was a lifetime member, she taught Sunday School, served on many committees and played the organ in earlier years. Elaine attended Eureka Baptist Church for a time before she was unable to attend.  She played the organ and did the church bulletin there for several years. Elaine enjoyed travel in the United States and Europe. She was an active member of the Weatherford Organ Society, Alpha Delta Kappa and Parker County Retired Teachers. She was preceded in death by her parents, J. Roy and Jewell; sister, Rubera and her husband, Raymond Bosher; brother, Don H. and his wife, Mary; namesake nieces, Gladys Sprenger and Judy Duncan; and aunts, for which she was a caregiver, Gladys, Ruby, Peggy Jones and Marjorie Ashcroft. Special thanks to the staff of Autumn Hill, Holland Lake and Kindred for taking special care of Elaine. Survivors include her brother, Jon and his wife, Dottie, of Weatherford; nephews, Jerry Bosher and wife, Connie, of Duncanville, Lyle Vandagriff and wife, Kari, of New Braunfels, Paul Vandagriff and wife, Mary, of Georgia, Jim Binnion and wife, Teri, of Bellingham, Wash., Gene Binnion and wife, Andrea, of Haltom City, and Mike Binnion and wife, Kathy, of Rhode Island and Calif.; niece, Cathy Vandagriff of Homewood, Ala.; nephew, Joe Duncan of Weatherford; special friends and caregivers, James and Jan May; and numerous other family, friends and former students. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at North Side Baptist Church, 910 N. Main St., Weatherford. Interment: East Greenwood Cemetery, Weatherford. Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations may be made in Elaine's memory to North Side Baptist Church, Weatherford College or the Doss Heritage and Culture Center. Services in care of White's Funeral Home, Weatherford.

The Community News February 24, 2017