— Elda Mae Royse, 83, a loving mother and caregiver, was born October 5, 1929, in Muskogee and passed from this life on February 9, 2013, after a long illness.

A Christian, Elda Mae was passionate about caring for her family. She was kind, compassionate, witty, a great storyteller and an exceptional cook.  She had a passion for Christ and her desire was that everyone would come to know Him as their savior.  She loved music, clothes, reading and collecting records.  She was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.

Elda Mae married Raymond Royse on March 29, 1952.  He preceded her in death on September 13, 2006.  She also was preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Gertrude Crossland, and her brothers, Thomas, Kenneth and Jerry Crossland and sister Betty Sloan.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Linda Hartt and husband Bob, Brenda Burchett and husband Jim, Beverly Lord and husband Glen, Raymond Royse and wife Debbie, and Marilyn Thouvenel and husband Jim.

Her grandchildren are Laura Walden-Cummins, Eric Peterson and wife Donna, Melissa Randolph, Mollie Goosman and husband Robert, Beau Thouvenel, Tera Thouvenel, Bobby Thouvenel and wife Emily, Katy Thomson and husband Ryan, Cheryl Jackson and husband Jared Nelson, and Robbie Jackson and wife Melissa.

Great-grandchildren are Case Jakob Thouvenel, Mylee Aylward, Brylee Thouvenel, Tanner and Griffin Thomson, Amanda and Emily Goosman, Micah Galloway and wife Luana, Megan Willis, Jaycie Ray, Carter, Dylan and Jackson Sullivan, Hannah, Ben and Joe Peterson, Lexi and Hunter Woods,  Andrew Jackson, Meagan, Josh and Brandon Walden, Destinee Savannah, and David and Hannah Arrasmith.

Great-great-grandchildren are Jacob, Cloey and Brycen Galloway.

We love you and your sweet smile will be missed but your love will live on in our hearts forever.  We’ll never say goodbye just we’ll see you very soon.  You are walking with the angels now.

Viewing will be from noon to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 and from 8:00 a.m. to noon Thursday, February 14, 2013, at Foster-Petering Funeral Home in Muskogee. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee with Pastor Doug Miller officiating.

Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.  

Condolences to the family may be made at www.foster-petering.com