Elizabeth Moore Osteen

GLADEWATER - Elizabeth Moore Osteen passed away after a short illness on May 12, 2009. She was born June 6, 1917, and lived in Gladewater until 2004. She was the daughter of a Gladewater pioneer family, Clinton and Clyde Moore, and graduated from Gladewater High in 1934. Elizabeth married John W. Osteen in 1936, and they had three children. Her devotion, service and generosity to her children and grandchildren will always be remembered.

Elizabeth actively participated in numerous organizations in Gregg County. She served as an elder of the First Christian Church and president of the First Christian Church and president of the Rosedale Cemetery Association and was a charter member of the Cherokee Trace DAR. She also held many positions of leadership on the Gladewater Lee Library Board, Three Arts Club, Gladewater Garden Club, and Rodeo Women's Auxiliary. She will be remembered for her many hours of volunteering with Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Meals on Wheels, and Manna House. Her love of history and genealogy inspired her to co-author two books on the history of Gladewater, and she was instrumental in starting the Gladewater Historical Museum. Her love of bridge and other games, as well as numerous hand crafts, were life long hobbies.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, Richard D. Osteen, and her brothers, James and David Moore. She is survived by her son, John C., and wife, Elane of McAllen, and her daughter, Elizabeth Ferguson, and husband, Bob of Rowlett, and seven grandchildren, Richard, Randall, and Alex Osteen, Clint and Bryan Osteen, and Keith Ferguson and Karen Ferguson Coleman. She also is survived by 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her sister, Delight Johnson of San Antonio, and sister-in-law, JoAnn Mehaffey, and husband, Dick, of Nashville, Tennessee.

Services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2009, at 10 a.m. at First Christian Church of Gladewater, Elizabeth's grandson, Pastor Keith Ferguson of Hill Country Bible Church Round Rock North will conduct the services. Graveside services will be at Rosedale Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Croley Funeral Home on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gladewater Library or Gladewater Museum, or the charity of your choice.