Rev. Donald S. Elrod

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and preacher was called home at 10:05 pm Saturday, October 16, 2021. He was surrounded by his wife and three daughters.

He was born May 9, 1937, in Palestine, TEXAS to Bennie Frank Elrod and Donnelle Hill Elrod Chastain. He was a graduate of Coolidge High School, received his BS degree from the University of North Texas, and his Master of Divinity from SMU. He married his soulmate Joyce Dunaway in 1958, and they recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. Before entering the Ministry, he taught school in Azle and in Snyder, and was also a licensed locksmith, among many other occupations. He spent 28 years spreading God's message as a Methodist preacher, serving the following churches: Perry, Blooming Grove, Dresden, Santa Anna, Trickham, Valera, Tenth St. Taylor, Hutto, West, Gholson, Ogelsby, Lebanon, and Crawford, where he had the honor of preaching to President George W. Bush. His ability to talk about almost anything, to tell amusing stories and to mess up a good joke endeared him to the people he served. He loved the small rural church.

Don is survived by his wife, Joyce Dunaway Elrod; his three daughters and their spouses: Kellye and John McMaster, Dana and Jeff Anderson, and Toni Gafford; six grandchildren and their spouses: Jeremy and Meagan Gafford, Cawlye and Thomas Ladd, Hayley and Jared McDougal, Brittney and Colton Flowers, Kristina Gafford, and Chelsey and Clayton Blackard; twelve great-grandchildren: Landon and Hadlye Ladd; Ryerson, Baelynne and Graydon Gafford, Bowen, Declan, Lincoln and Emersyn Flowers, Sutton Blackard, Salem and Dawsyn McDougal; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joe Chastain.

His family would like to thank all the healthcare workers who have taken care of Don over the years at Wesleyan Skilled Nursing and Wesleyan Hospice.

A memorial service will be at Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas, on October 24th at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Benevolent Fund of the Wesleyan Homes Foundation in Georgetown, Texas.

You may leave a message or memory in the online guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com .