Audrey Sheets Elder of Lubbock, known as Grammy to those who loved her, went to be with Jesus on Sept. 14, 2026.

She was born August 18, 1931, to Fred and Anna Sheets in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the fifth of six siblings. She grew up in Darlington, Pennsylvania, and met her husband, Ralph Ramsey Elder, in high school. They married September 22, 1951, and lived in New Jersey, mainly in Hopewell, while raising their three children: David Frank Elder, Terry Lee Elder and Edie Lurene Elder. Audrey enjoyed taking the kids to vegetable and fruit farms to pick fresh produce. She also spent time quilting and sewing.

Faith was always important to Audrey. She always felt the presence of God in her life and told many others about Him.

In 1981, she moved to Lubbock to be near her children and grandchildren. She was active in several civic organizations, including the South Park Hospital Auxiliary and the American Business Women's Association. She also worked several small jobs, but mostly, her time was spent with her growing family, which eventually included 14 grandchildren.

Grammy found thoughtful, creative ways to make her grandchildren feel seen and loved. A visit to Grammy's meant a tea party (where you chose your own favorite tea and used a special spoon), a game of Skip-Bo and time playing with her collection of toys or making crafts. Hearing that her young grandchildren had formed a pickle-lovers club, she began a tradition of giving a jar of pickles to each on his or her birthday. She would arrive at birthday parties wearing a pickle-green dress and armed with the birthday child's favorite kind of pickles. She was also the creator of the "sandwich hug" -a giggly embrace between Grammy and all the grandchildren where each yells out the name of the sandwich ingredient they represent.

She was always peppy and cheerful. She often ended a visit by blowing kisses, waving and even, on occasion, racing the car of the person driving away (even well into her 80s!) She loved green and growing things, and painting.

As her grandchildren grew older, Grammy was always available to talk on the phone or to pray with them about problems big and small. She ended every conversation: "I love you. God bless."

As she grew older and began to struggle to remember some things, her memory of Jesus and His love stayed with her. Even near the end, she could quote parts of Psalm 23 and would end a visit by saying she hoped she would see the person again in heaven.

She was preceded in death by daughter Terry Bradley and son-in-law Richard Lemley. She is survived by her son David and daughter-in-law Marella; son-in-law Burt Bradley; and daughter Edie Lemley, all of Lubbock; 14 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

The family plans to remember her with a gathering in the coming weeks.