Elaine was born on October 22, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Robert Theron and Lillian Thelma Watkins Staten. The third of six children, Elaine graduated from Bartlett High School in 1953. Among the several jobs worked over the course of her life, Elaine found great purpose in working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Beaumont, Texas.
Elaine retired from the V.A. in 1997 after 29 years of dedicated service.
In December of 1959 while living in southern California, Elaine’s brother, Raymond, introduced her to a handsome young man named Delmer Oldbury. Both Raymond and Delmer were serving in the U.S. Navy at the time and were stationed in the San Diego area. Elaine and Delmer quickly fell in love and were married the following summer on July 2, 1960. They were sealed to one another on October 18, 1961, in the Los Angeles, California Temple. They made their home in California, Utah, and finally settled in Texas where they raised three sons in Mauriceville. In August of 2017, an unfortunate weather event guided them to New Braunfels where Elaine spent the last eight years of her life close to loved ones.
Elaine loved to travel and see the world. Little known to some, she held a great appreciation for music. She loved playing her piano and was an incredible cook, turning out delicious meals no matter how many hours she worked that day.
Many holidays were spent at her table and at the enjoyment of her culinary skills. Elaine’s most prized recipe was her banana nut bread. Elaine loved her husband deeply. She adored her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Eugene Staten, sister Irene Thelma Slater, sister Joyce Arlene Romero, brother Raymond Phillip Staten, and brother Kenneth Alvin Staten.
Elaine is survived by son Troy Staten Oldbury and his wife Holly Grondel Oldbury of Marion, TX; son Delmer Theron Oldbury and his wife Jacqueline Javier Oldbury of San Antonio, TX; son Michael Edward Oldbury and his wife Charlotte Sellers Oldbury of Baytown, TX; seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
