Ruth Elaine Hairgrove

Ruth Elaine Beard Hairgrove, of Thornton, entered her heavenly home on May 11, 2025 at the age of 85. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Central Baptist Church in Thornton with Brother Ronnie Driskell and Brother Tracy Sims officiating. Interment will follow in the Thornton Cemetery. Lane Hairgrove, Preston Waldrop, Calvin Jones, Eddie Graham, Willie Neal, and Colonel Robert Bishop will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, at Blair-Stubbs Chapel in Thornton.

Elaine was born October 30, 1939 in Pasadena, Texas to Jack and Estelle (Aman) Beard. In 1962, she graduated from Baylor University in Waco and then completed her education at Baylor School of Nursing in Dallas prior to receiving her Masters, in 1972, from Texas Women’s University in Dallas.

Elaine married Captain Richard Podell and they were blessed with one son, Douglas. U. S. Air Force Captain Richard Podell lost his life serving his country during the Vietnam War. On May 31, 1969, Elaine married her lifelong partner, Preston Hairgrove and the blessings continued as their family grew with an additional son, Stephen and daughter, Rebecca.

Although Elaine’s first and most important job was devoted to being a wife and mother, she was a Professor at TWU Houston from 1973-1979 and a Deer Park ISD School Nurse from 1979-1999.

Elaine was always interested in being active in her community, she served on the Hospital Board of Limestone Medical Center and was a longtime active member of the Central Baptist Church in Thornton. In some of her leisure time, she enjoyed gardening and making jelly.

Elaine’s life was focused on her love for God, family, and helping others. Having a relationship with Christ was her priority throughout her life. He gave her the strength to maintain a positive outlook when facing hardship and adversity; she knew and trusted, He was always in control, and she turned everything over to Him. Although she will truly be missed here on earth, her family finds comfort in knowing she is happy, and they will see her again someday.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Estelle Beard; and husbands, Captain Richard Podell and Preston Hairgrove.

Elaine is survived by her sons, Douglas Podell and Stephen Hairgrove and wife, Melissa; daughter, Rebecca Waldrop; grandchildren, Lane Hairgrove, Emily Hairgrove, Molly Hairgrove, Preston Waldrop, and Ellie Waldrop; and numerous other extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the LMC Foundation at the Limestone Medical Center by calling 254-729-3281 ext. 2102. or sending it in to P.O. Box 474, Groesbeck, Texas 76642.