I n loving memory of our mother, Elna Culver Countryman, who passed away on May 28, 2023. She was born on August 28, 1933, in Autauga County, Alabama, the daughter of James Rudolph Culver and Farrah Hunter Culver.

Elna graduated from Emma Samson High School in Gadsden, Alabama in 1950.  After high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Countryman. The family lived in Decatur, Alabama until 1984, where Jerry was the band director at Decatur High School and Elna taught Home Economics at Decatur Junior High and Oak Park Middle School.

In 1985, Elna and Jerry moved to Texas where they lived in West Columbia, Texas for 32 years before moving in 2017 to Richmond, Texas to be closer to their sons.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Jerry Countryman; sons, Randy Countryman and Greg Countryman; grandson, Ty Countryman; niece, Joni Smith and her daughter, Emily Smith Riley and Jane Ann Countryman.

She was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The family will receive friends for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and a service to begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2023 at First Baptist Church, 502 S. 5th Street, Richmond, Texas 77469. Interment will be at 1:15 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2023 at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Claire Brothers Funeral Home, 7901 Hillcroft Street, Houston, Texas 77081.