Elaine Hayes

Elaine E. Hayes

DOB 10/22/1931 transition to Glory 5/13/2025

Elaine began life in New Orleans, LA with her parents, Tom and Lousia Edmonson. Her sister, Mary Alice, joined the family 5 years later. Tom was a pastor of several churches throughout central and north Louisiana. Elaine enjoyed school, learned to sew her own clothing, and was an accomplished pianist, using that talent to serve many churches' music ministry throughout her life. Elaine was valedictorian of her HS class then began her education at Louisiana College to become a registered nurse. Friendships with college classmates were special to her until death. While in New Orleans completing nursing studies, Elaine met many seminary boys, but Seab captured her heart. They were married June 1953 and began ministry together. Elaine began her walk with God at a young age and began a daily habit of Bible study relying on her relationship with God to provide strength and guidance through life's joys and challenges. She was instrumental in helping her 5 children learn to love the Lord and follow Him. Elaine loved her family and, despite working full time, made home cooked meals, sewed clothing, crocheted, quilted and made each in-law, grandchild and great grandchild feel special. With physical infirmity, her ministry became praying for friends and those in need as well as encouraging people to draw closer to God.

Elaine earned her BS in Nursing from Louisiana College in 1953, her Master's in Nursing from UT in 1977 and her D.Ed in Instruction and Curriculum from Texas A&M in 1991. She served on the faculty of the Nursing Dept at Pan American University, Edinburg, TX, Navarro College in Corsicana, TX and as Chair of the Nursing Department of Central Texas College from 1986 to 1998. Retirement did not lessen her love of teaching and desire to influence new nurses, so she continued to teach fundamental nursing classes for several years.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Seab, parents, sister, infant brother, grandparents and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Heaven is ringing with their conversations and laughter!

She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Richard and Debbie Hayes, Erin and Brian Harris, Olivia, Ben and Lucy; Katie and Caleb Morris, Zach, Hannah, Judah and Malachi; Megan and Will Davis, Stone, Bowen and Mac. Timothy and Sherry Hayes, Patrick. Mark and Corinne Hayes; Terisa and Brad Brakefield, John and Lydia May; Catherine; Daniel and Rise; Philip and Lizette; Stephen. Nancy and Stan Dickard, Anna Grace; Byron and Sarah, Rachelle and Liam; Sean; Nathan and Taylor. Beverly and Carl Seagren; Samantha and Bryan Davis, Benaiah and Callen.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Killeen, TX or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or Operation Christmas Child of Samaritan's Purse.

Her wish is that everyone experience the love of God through Jesus, His son. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day...” 2 Timothy 4:7-8a

A visitation for Elaine will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, TX 765421654. A funeral service will occur Monday, May 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Killeen, 3310 S. WS Young, Killeen, Texas 76542. A committal service will occur Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM at Garden of Memory Cemetery, FM 2484, Killeen, Texas 76549.