Elva Coilla Compton

Elva Compton, age 92, of Fritch, Texas passed away on Christmas Day with her daughter by her side. Elva was born to James Rufus and Ollie Mae Lievsay on April 2, 1933 in Achille, Oklahoma. She attended Borger schools through the third grade, then attended Phillips schools where she graduated as Salutatorian in the class of 1951.

Elva and Dib started dating while she was still in high school. Not too long before they started dating Dib bought a new 1948 Chevrolet Fleetwood. He always claimed that was the only reason Elva went on a date with him. On their second date, while driving home from the movies, Dib told Elva he was going to marry her. She laughed and laughed, which hurt his feelings, and he didn’t say another word on the ride home. But she did marry him, in the spring of her senior year of high school, and they celebrated 73 years of marriage before his death in 2024.

Elva was content and proud to be a homemaker. She loved her family fiercely, keeping their small shotgun house going while keeping small children fed and clothed and managing to help Dib build their new home. She was always available to help her in-laws and extended family, serving them all with a joyful spirit. Often she would go to the home of a church member who was ill, or who had surgery, cleaning their house, cooking and doing their laundry.

She loved to sew. She made many clothes for her daughter to wear. She was a real pro at mending Levi's and work shirts. Elva was always eager to learn and in her later years took up quilting, making quilts and helping to make quilts for other people. She enjoyed the fellowship with her quilting circle as much as she loved making the quilts.

Elva always exhibited her Christian values. She loved the Lord with all her heart. She practiced hospitality at the highest level. She would invite people to their home that were attending church services. She would hurry home from church and start prepping and cooking and guests always received a good home-cooked meal. She was generous with her love and skills. She would always answer the call to help others in a time of need.

She taught Bible classes for many, many years, always glad to see the little fellas (as she called them). Elva loved to sing. If travelling with this couple, there was no radio needed. They would sing the old gospel hymns non- stop while rolling down the highway. She began taking piano lessons when she was around 70 years old.

Elva was her children’s and grandchildren’s’ number one supporter, travelling to many athletic events. She would call out words of encouragement to the kids (and sometimes even to the officials.)

What we remember about Elva is her abounding faithfulness. Faithful to her husband, faithful to her family and friends; but most of all, faithful to her God.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise.”

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, and grandson, James Compton. Surviving her is her sister Wilda Bennet of Bakersfield, CA, son Greg and Karen Compton, daughter Coilla and Randall Smith, five grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The family had a private graveside service at Westlawn Memorial Park.