Elizabeth Tinsley

Elizabeth Hudgens Tinsley, 83, widow of Woodrow F. Tinsley, died Saturday, June 19, 2004 at her home.

Born in Williamston, she was a daughter of the late J.B. and Nancy Carr Hudgens.

She retired from Kayser Long as the bookkeeper and was associated with her late husband in their business, Textile Beams. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Colonial Dames.

Mrs. Tinsley was a member of White Oak Baptist Church, where she was a historical monument of the church history. She was a Sunday School teacher for more than 50 years, teaching from High School/College age students to Senior Adults. She was a reference historian for Bible teaching and information and exhortation. She was a mentor to "Preacher Boys" who were in her Sunday School class as well as counselor to some who became missionaries both in the United States and abroad.

Her pleasant way of teaching was a good role model for any teacher rather than just dry facts of Bible history. Her regular study time amounted to many hours for each lesson or devotional she presented, and her memory for dates and events was phenomenal.

Her beautiful colonial home had a large welcome mat out for friends and guests for many years. Meals that turned into hours of fellowship and memories were typical of this very Southern lady.

Mrs. Tinsley's trips and travels to Ireland/Scotland to hear words from her family heritage were great research for her. She visited many historical sites in the United Sates from Charleston, Beaufort, Williamsburg and all over New England, particularly Maine and the coastline. These trips enriched her life and those with whom she shared the details.

Her life experiences broadened her ability to console others in their time of trouble as she relied on her God for comfort, and her influence is still being felt as her former pupils are true to the Word of God as she led them to know and believe.

Mrs. Tinsley is survived by her grandson, Officer Woodrow F. Tinsley III of E. Hartford, Conn.; daughter-in-law, Barbara C. Tinsley of Tyngsboro, Mass.; niece, Elizabeth BeDen Jones and her husband, Allen, and nephew, Frank Davenport, and his wife, Jan, all of Greenville.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Dr. Woodrow F. Tinsley Jr. and sister, Dorothy H. Davenport.

Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at The Mackey Mortuary with the Rev. Jim Bates officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to White Oak Baptist Church, 1805 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29609 or to The Dorothy Davenport Student Loan Fund, c/o Greenville Tech Foundation, PO Box 5616, Greenville, SC 29606.