Elsa Jean Daniels Horlock

Elsa Jean was born to John G. and Elsa Holland in Houston the 6th of September 1933. She went to Oran M. Roberts Elementary School, Pershing Junior High, Lamar High School, and Rice University. She grew up in the West University and Tanglewood neighborhoods of Houston. In junior high school, Elsa Jean was editor of the school paper and won the American Legion award. At Lamar High School, she was on the swim team, volleyball team and was May Queen and Ramal Sweetheart. Elsa Jean graduated from Rice University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish. Also at Rice, she was Vice President of the Student Council her senior year, Outstanding Senior, President of the Owen Wister Literary Society, 1952 Homecoming Queen, 1954 Cotton Bowl Queen.

Elsa Jean was an advanced classical pianist; she even won a citywide contest that resulted in the honor to play in a piano quartet with the Houston Symphony Orchestra in Hermann Park. She also played for church services at Westminster Methodist Church while attending Rice in her sophomore and junior years.

Elsa Jean met William Edward Daniels (Billy Ed) while attending Rice University. Billy Ed received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Rice, where he also played varsity football and ran varsity track; they married in June 1955. Elsa Jean and Billy Ed had three loving children: Mark, Lynn and Frank Daniels. Elsa Jean was very supportive of Billy Ed in his mortgage banking business. They enjoyed going to El Sueño, their ranch in Hunt, Texas with family and friends. Upon Billy Ed’s death in 1989, Elsa Jean set up two endowed funds in his name: the Billy Ed Daniels Endowed Book Fund at the Fondren Library and the Billy Ed Daniels Scholarship for Athletics at Rice University.

Elsa Jean was an accomplished tennis player, bridge player, and even became a private pilot, flying for 15 years. She gave her time to the community and was involved with many organizations including being President of the Rice OWLS Alumni Association; President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and member for over 50 years of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.); serving the Assistance League of Houston; and the Boards of the Shepard School of Music and Fondren Library. She also taught Sunday school for 18 years.

In 1996 Elsa Jean married Roy M. Horlock. They enjoyed life going back and forth to their two favorite places: El Sueño and Hidden Creek Farm. They also enjoyed the company of many mutual friends and loved to play gin rummy.

Elsa Jean loved spending time with her family and played a significant part in the lives of her seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, whom she deeply cherished.

She was preceded in death by her parents John G. and Elsa Holland and by her husband of 34 years, Billy Ed Daniels.

She is survived by her three children: Mark Holland Daniels and wife Tricia of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Elsa Lynn Daniels Davis and husband Jeff of Houston; William Franklin (Frank) Daniels and wife Susan, of Austin, Texas; and her husband Roy Horlock, of Houston. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: William Edward (Billy) Daniels and Jonathan Benz Daniels of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Christina (Christi) Lynn Davis and Katherine (Katie) Lynn Davis of Houston; William (Bill) Franklin Daniels, Jr. and wife Samantha, Blake Hogan Daniels and Brandon Michael Daniels of Austin, Texas and her great grandchildren Teagan Patricia Daniels and Hayes William Daniels of Austin, Texas. Additionally, she is survived by her brother, Jack Holland and wife Dorit of Eureka, Arkansas; her sister Anne Piper White and husband Carroll of Memphis, Tennessee; her brother-in-law Thomas (Tommy) Daniels and wife Charlotte of Hunt, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 22nd of December, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay in Houston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Elsa Jean’s name be directed to Chapelwood Methodist Church Retired Ministers Benevolence Fund, that benefits collegiate scholarships.