Julia White Elliott

Julia Ida (White) Elliott Born Julia Ida White on August 19, 1912 to Edmund Elijah White and Zora Belle Wilson White in Clarendon, Texas. She passed away on May 30, 2005. Like many others of her generation, she survived the Great Depression and two world wars by a life of faith and industrious invincibility. As one of the older children in the family, she began to contribute to the family livelihood at an early age both inside and outside the home. After gaining recognition in Dallas for her skills as a seamstress, Julia came to Austin in the early 1930’s to work for C & S Sporting Goods on Guadalupe. In Austin, she met her future husband, Carl Lee Elliott. They married on November 2, 1935. Carl operated the Elliott Gulf station on the corner of Congress Avenue and Barton Springs Road for over 40 years. He preceded Julia in death on May 8, 1990. Over the years, Julia lived her oft-spoken motto, “life is what you make it” to the fullest. She was a fastidious homemaker and gardener, in addition to consummate mother and grandmother. As the Zilker area neighborhood expanded, she became active in the Garden Club, serving as an officer for many years. In mid-life, Julia redirected her creativity, handiwork, and interest in nature’s beauty and became a self-taught artist. She created a wide variety of pottery and paintings, using pastels, oils and other media as well as continuing her needlecrafts. In keeping with her love of gardening, she became known locally and around Texas for still-life and landscape oil paintings. For years she was an active exhibitor at Laguna Gloria Fiesta in Austin and other Texas art shows. She always found an outlet for sharing her passions with others, and taught art classes in her studio until a few years prior to her death. Mrs. Elliott was a devout Christian and a member of Grace United Methodist Church. After moving into her Zilker area home in 1935, Julia remained a neighborhood fixture for 67 years—walking and gardening year-round until the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease would no longer allow it. But, as she would say, “that’s a cat of a different color.” She obviously enjoyed a lively sense of humor appreciated by anyone who ever heard her laughter. Julia lived on this earth cheerfully for 92 years, with loving devotion to her family, her friends, and her Christian faith. Survivors include: sons, Dalton G. Elliott, Sr., and Jim C. Elliott of Austin, their wives Debra and Wanda. Her grandchildren, Kimberly Lehmann, of New Braunfels, Dalton G. Elliott, Jr. of Austin, Darrin G. Elliott of Austin, and Matthew C. Elliott of Austin. Julia also had three great-grandchildren, Andrew Lehmann, Alexandra Lehmann and Lauren Elliott. Julia also had many dear friends who will also miss her. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 1, at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home. Graveside service will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 2, at Forest Oak Memorial Cemetery with Reverend Linda Kessie officiating. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com