Elsie Elizabeth Whiteside

Elsie Elizabeth Whiteside, 95, of Kilgore passed away on June 27, 2024 with her family by her side. Born on August 8, 1928 in Nowata, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of John Franklin Heldenbrand and Daisy Eva Collins. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin University and received a master’s degree in psychology from Duke University. She taught school in Alaska and Marshall, Texas and represented the Texas State Teachers Conference for many years. Elsie was passionate about life and her career. She was a trendsetter in believing that job training was vital to a person’s success. She worked for the U.S. Department of Labor, Jobs Training and Services Division creating programs throughout East Texas and regions beyond.

  She created job training programs in the fields of Nursing, Truck Driving and Nannying. Elsie was a Member of the Texas State Guard and was elected to the Texas Silver Haired Legislature in 1996 from whom she received many awards and accolades, retiring in 2021. She was a member of the Advisory Board for East Texas Area on Aging. Elsie championed many efforts for the underprivileged and elderly throughout her long life. She was a member of Eastview Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. Later in life she attended the First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore. Always on the go, Elsie was an inspiration to all who knew her, quick to flash a heartfelt smile. She always wore a memorable outfit, causing many to notice her flair for fashion. In recent years Elsie modelled for MLS Boutique in Kilgore, owned by her dear friend Mable Streets. She was often seen Ballroom or Swing dancing around the East Texas area in a vast array of different colored cowboy boots. She joined TASCA , dancing at Willowbrook Country Club in Tyler. She loved hunting and shot her last turkey while in her 70’s!

 She is survived by her children Karen Whiteside, Donald Whiteside and wife Mildred, Andrea Whiteside; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruth Ann and Jim McGinnis, Paula and Rick Bilderback, Nancy Strange; a sister-in-law, Joyce Heldenbrand; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

 The funeral service will be held on Tuesday July 2, 2024 at Holy Prayer Apostolic Church, located at 12334 FM 2012, Kilgore at 10 a.m. with Pastor Ava Mae Walker presiding. Interment to follow at the Kilgore Cemetery. The visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home, Kilgore on Monday July 1, 2024 from 6 until 8 pm.

 Pallbearers will be Carl Lacombe, Jonn Spradlin, D.J. Whiteside, Hasson Whiteside, Donald Daniel Whiteside and Dewey Lee Whiteside and Honorary pallbearer: Jim McGinnis.

  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Neal McCoys East Texas Angel Network, 2802 Gilmer Road, Suite 1 Longview, Texas 75604.