Elsie Tyler Todd

Elsie Lenore Tyler Todd suffered a major stroke and died on Wednesday, July 13th, 2022. She was 79 and determined to live life on her own terms. Though her body and mind had begun to thwart her plans and productivity these last years, she nonetheless kept on in her relentless pursuit of Christian service and social responsibility. Helping others was her life’s work, and she would not be deterred…no matter how much we entreated her to better care for herself.

A music teacher through and through, she knew all the tricks to help the youngest to oldest learn how to read music. With an educator’s heart and a profound commitment to be a learner, Elsie took every opportunity to share the joy, diversity, community, and transcendence of music.

Her longest serving position spanned over two decades as elementary music teacher at Seminole - later named William S. Sandel Elementary School - in Columbia, SC. Music did not cease at the end of a long workday or after caring for three children. Elsie enjoyed singing in the church choir, playing handbells, leading preschoolers in making music at her home church of Westminster Presbyterian’s Child Development Center, directing a community chorus at the local Presbyterian Home, transposing music to revive handbell choirs in both Montana and Virginia, and always leaving room to square dance with her beloved Tanglefoots. Music was so central to her life that it flowed out of her spontaneously, whenever the events of a day brought-to-mind a Broadway song, church hymn, or scarcely known folk tune.

Elsie had a way of listening and asking questions that could make anyone feel special and valued. She lived life with an open heart and mind, rarely thinking of her own best interest or safety. With her generous and sweet spirit, she encountered the most sweet and generous strangers. Just the day before she took ill, she spent the afternoon searching out a local firefighter who had recently assisted her in searching for her keys at the store, only to discover them around her neck at last! Though embarrassed, she was determined to thank her community angel.

Elsie saw the strengths and talents of those around her and was never stingy in her praise and admiration. She showered her kids and grandkids with affirmation and often marveled aloud at the talents of others. Elsie was passionate about environmental education and conservation. She applauded the ingenuity of those who harnessed the wit of her own trailblazing grandmother, who in the Great Depression learned to innovate, up-cycle, and “multiply” mere “loaves and fishes.” Our culture disposes what it cannot see value in. Elsie added value: seeing it in every child, every student, every voice, every plant, every heart, every resource.

If the day was warm and pleasant, she would be blissfully unaware of time while outside working the garden and yard. She committed herself always to learning and growing. NPR was often on her radio during the day, and scraps of paper throughout her room attested to her copious notes.

Elsie was an idealist with a big heart and unrelenting hope. She was determined to be part of God’s work in the world! And indeed, she continued to share the good news of God’s healing love, even as her heart stopped beating, for she chose to donate her organs and three people now have new life.

Elsie passionately loved her family and raised three children on one salary, sending them all to college and beyond. Elsie graduated Austin College in Sherman Texas and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. She was preceded in death, by her parents Frederick William Tyler and Louise Ellen Dinsmore Tyler, and her former husband Marshall Harris Todd. Surviving her are her children and grandchildren: Miriam Tyler Todd Mauritzen and husband Clayton with daughter Eleanor; Jonathan & Erin Todd and children Corinne, Lucas, and Jillian; Katherine Todd & Incy Teoh and son, Caleb Nguyen. She is also survived by her three siblings and their spouses: Betty Bradshaw, AC & Mary Tyler, and Bill & Marvine Tyler.

A celebration of life will be held at her home church of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 at 1pm. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to a local music teacher, your local NPR station, a conservation or environmental justice group, or community garden. Then tell us about your gift by writing to [email protected].

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com for the Todd family.