Elsie Lucia Partee

Elsie Lucia (Biggers) Partee moved on to her heavenly duties on September 20, 2018. She was born September, 1922 in Lexington Lee County, Texas to Jackson Alexander Biggers and Elsie Aurelia Stullken Biggers in the family home. Her maternal grandfather, John E. Stullken, a Methodist minister, baptized her as an infant. Her parents moved to Austin, Texas in 1924 and established their home. She was a member of the University Methodist Church until 2001 when she became a member Holy Word Lutheran Church. She graduated from Austin High School in 1939; attended the University of Texas with a major in Music (Voice) and served as soloist of the UT Girl's Chorus in her freshman year. She transferred to Baylor University for further voice training where she sang in the Baylor a cappella choir and sextet. Returning to UT in 1942, she changed her major to Education and received her Texas Teacher's Certificate. She met Melvin Wesley Partee in 1942 and they were married by Dr. Edmund Heinsohn at University Methodist Church in 1944. Elsie enjoyed serving as an Air Force wife for 31 years of a marriage of 51 years. This marriage was blessed with three sons. Both parents were active in their sons' activities. Elsie taught kindergarten through third grade in Mountain Home Air Force Base Public School and served as president of three separate PTA Groups in Idaho and Texas. One of her most memorable joys was the formation of the Mountain Home Air Force Base Junior Choir of over 60 young members and the thrill of directing this group on television in Boise, Idaho. The family moved from Idaho back to Austin, Texas in 1962, where a permanent residence was finally established. Her main interest was to see that their three sons were well educated and exposed to cultural activities and to learn the importance of using their God given talents to help others. Elsie always felt "special" since she was blessed as a parent and grandparent of all boys. The great grandsons and great granddaughters were considered "very special"! She became a member of the Austin Women's Club in 1981 and served six years on the AWC Board as Chair of the Insurance, Grounds & House Committees. She was a member of the TXDAR Thankful Hubbard Chapter and the Forever Young Group of the Holy Word Lutheran Church. Elsie was instrumental in the formation of the University Area Partners Group, when she was chair of the University United Methodist Church Grounds Committee. Due to her efforts, several sites such as the AWC and UUMC received Keep Austin Beautiful Awards. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, Jackson A. Biggers and William S. Biggers, and a sister, Florence B. Baker. She is survived by three sons and their wives, Melvin (Mel) W. & Betty Partee, Jr, Lexington Texas; Frank R. & Joyce Partee, Lexington, Texas and Charles (Chuck) & Cynthia Partee, Fort Worth, Texas. Additionally survived by grandsons, Bryan(Lynette), Brad, Michael (Rebecca), Tim (Sandy), Travis (Angie)and Chad (Evan); great grandsons, Braden, Brody, Caleb, Boone, Chase; great granddaughters, Madison, Cassie, Kashe and Haley; and step-grandson Matthew Pense (Lori); step-granddaughter, Monica Wilke; step-great grandsons Tyler Taliaferro, Dakota Pense, Hayden Wilkie; step-great granddaughters, Haley and Caitlin Wilkie; numerous special nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members. Pallbearers will be her Grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be her Great Grandsons. The family is deeply grateful to John Dieck, M.D., Humberto (Sonny) Maldonado, M.D., Brookdale Parmer Lane Senior Living and Brookdale Hospice for their compassionate care of our mother. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at Holy Word Lutheran Church, 10601 Bluff Bend Dr., Austin, TX from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. at Holy Word Lutheran Church with Pastor Donald Patterson officiating and assisted by Staff Minister Chad White. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Elsie's honor to Holy Word Lutheran Church or to the charity of your choice.