Maudie Faye Stephenson Elder was born on July 3, 1926 in San Augustine, TX to Robert Frank Stephenson and Maude Richards Stephenson. One of the youngest of 13 brothers and sisters, Faye was the last to join them in Heaven on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Faye, affectionately known as “Mama”, to her three children, seven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren, was a resident of Shreveport for the past 55 years when she and her husband, Charles R. “Charlie” Elder, Jr., together with their three children were transferred with Charlie’s job as a Nutone salesman. Faye and Charlie were longtime members of First Baptist Church in Shreveport where they both were involved in all aspects of the church’s ministry.
Faye worked as an assistant to the Activities Director, Bobby Shows, she volunteered on a weekly basis in the church office, she was active in her WMU group, and in her much later years, she visited the “old people”, as she affectionately called them, even though some of them were younger than she was! Faye was a delight to be around and each person she visited had their day brightened by her.
Mama was the model grandma—every child would want to spend the night with her. She literally dropped whatever she was doing to sit on the floor to play games, go outside with her grands, and feed them any kind of snack they wanted. They always wanted to go home with Mama and Papa!
Faye is survived by her children, Rhonda Elder Banks and husband, Brooksher of N. Little Rock, AR; Jennifer Elder Crownover and husband, Joe of Waco, TX; and Charles R. “Randy” Elder, III and wife, Debbie of Shreveport. Her grandchildren are Melissa Banks Wolfe (Jeremy); Matthew L. Banks (Molly); Jeff R. Crownover (Jill); Brian M. Crownover (Ashley); Sara Elder Eaker (Adam); and Rebecca Elder Emery (Andrew); and Shannon Glassen Elder. Her grandson, Charles R. Elder, IV, met her with open arms when she arrived in Heaven.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her 13 siblings and her loving husband of 54 years, Charles Randell Elder, Jr.
Words could never adequately describe Faye, but what comes to mind first is her servant heart and her true example of how to be the best Mom she could possibly be. She was selfless and giving, kind and sweet spirited, showing Christ’s love to family, friends, and neighbors. She loved to listen and she loved to talk even more and her beautiful smile will never be forgotten.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Montclair Park Assisted Living Facility where Faye has lived for the past 4 ½ years and to all of her daily sitters who cared so lovingly for her. Memorials may be made to the Missions Fund at First Baptist Church of Shreveport or the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.
