Elsie Mae Switzer

Elsie Mae Switzer departed from her earthy family to join her Heavenly Father on the evening of Thursday, February 6, 2014.

Elsie was born on June 7, 1917, in Starks, Louisiana, to Ruben Perkins and Sarah Elizabeth Ashworth Perkins. Elsie graduated as valedictorian of Starks High School after having played on the girls' basketball team throughout high school.

Elsie was an active member of the former Park Avenue United Methodist Church, and, at her death, an active member of Faith United Methodist Church. During her church life, she was a member of the United Women's Society; served on the church board; participated in plays; taught Sunday School; aided with numerous vacation Bible schools; and was a church delegate to the United Methodist Church Conference many years. She also attended various Methodist Women Church camps at Lakeview. On occasions, she led the services at Wesley United Methodist Church.

During her children's schooling, Elsie served as a homeroom mother and a member of PTA until she began working as a printer setter at Southern Printers in Orange. She retired from her job in 1976 and became more involved in her church and work related to it; enjoyed embroidering; and going to Orange Baptist Hospital on Fridays to eat.

In addition to her parents, Elsie Switzer was preceded in death by her first husband, Andrew Harold Baham; her baby son, James Harold Baham; her second husband, Howard D. Switzer to whom she was married for over 55 years; her sisters Mary Jones and Victorian Johnson. She is survived by her daughters Pat and Betty; her grandchildren Todd McShan and his wife Charlotte; Tory Wagstaff and his fiancée Wendy and her children; her great grandson Jacob McShan; and her nieces and nephews.

Elsie's family appreciates the Acadian Ambulance services, the doctor and the nursing staff in the emergency room at Orange Baptist Hospital; the friendship of Clarence Kite, Winnie and Bill Garrett, Glenn Dutton, Dorothy McCall of Port Neches and her friends at both Faith and Wesley United Methodist Churches and their ministers Rev. Tony Hoefner and Rev. Randy Branch. In addition, we thank Barbara, Michelle and Sue at Magic Touch Hair Studio.

A celebration of Elsie's life will be on Sunday, February 9, at 2:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. A private family burial will take place. Pallbearers will be Elsie's grandsons, Todd McShan and Tory Wagstaff; great grandson, Jacob McShan; and her nephews J. L Bussell, David Johnson, and Craig Bussell.

Visitation will be at Claybar's from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 8.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made in loving memory of Elise Switzer to Faith United Methodist Church, 8608 Martin Luther King, Dr., Orange, Texas 77632

Elise will be in the hearts of her family forever.