Elaine Ellender

Tazie Elaine Ellender, born Moore, 90 of Sulphur, LA passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2013 to be with our Lord and Savior. She was born in Orange, TX, on August 2, 1922. Elaine was the granddaughter of Frank and Tazie Duhon Granger, a pioneering family of Sulphur. She was a 1939 graduate of Sulphur High School. She was voted outstanding player (guard) for the SHS girls basketball team. She was treasurer for the SHS Class of 1939. Elaine married James Ray Ellender on August 6, 1953, and together raised 5 children. She was married to James Ray for 51 years. She spent her working career at Sulphur Motor Company, Inc., Union Sulphur Company, Cit-Con, and for Frank Taylor at Taylor Carpet and Floors. She was a member of Our Lady Prompt Succor Catholic Church and a Catholic Daughter. She started her own catering business in Sulphur specializing in events and weddings for many years. Elaine was a very creative person. She utilized her talents in her cake decorating business. These days she would be considered a Cake Boss. She would work for hours to create something that not only was beautiful but that was also special to the person and their celebration. She loved what she did and loved seeing the happy looks on family, friends and customers faces when she presented them with their cake. She worked to provide a good life for her children. She was a dedicated, loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her house was always an open door to family, friends and neighbors. We will miss her motherly presence, her hugs, her cheerfulness and her old fashioned cooking. She had that special touch when it came to cooking and it always made our family occasions happy and memorable. We will especially miss her rice and gravy, potato salad and all those delicious desserts she used to make. Elaine is survived by one sister, Louise Ellender Autrey, wife of late husband, Herk Autrey of Houston, TX. Five children, Read Ellender, and wife Leigh Ann of Sulphur, LA, Stephen Ellender of Sulphur, LA, Jamie Ellender, of Lake Charles, LA., Suzanne Ellender Leveque and husband Dan of Lake Charles, LA., Patricia Ellender of Dallas, TX. Six grandchildren, Chanel Leveque Pedroza and husband Jason of Temecula, CA., Lauren Leveque, Sean Leveque, Alexandra Leveque, Leanne Leveque and Jonathan Leveque, all of Lake Charles, LA. Two great grandchildren, Easton Tyler Pedroza and Kallie Marie Pedroza, nieces Donna Taylor Guidry and husband Mike, of Westlake, LA., Frances Taylor of Natchitoches, LA., and nephew, Luke Autrey, of Houston,TX. Elaine was preceded in death by her late husband of 51 years, James Ray Ellender, 2 infant children, son George Dennis and daughter Mary, by her father Vannis Moore and mother Velma G. Ellender and stepfather Ogden S. Ellender; sisters Nelda Jean Ellender, Louetta Cecile Taylor and husband Frank, nephews Frank Ogden Taylor, Harry Taylor and Dickie Taylor. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur with Rev. Thomas Huhn, MS officiating.. Burial will be held at Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly, La. under the direction of Robison Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Friday, February 15, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. and will resume on Saturday at 9 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105