Obituaries

Elaine was born on January 4, 1936, in McKinney, Texas, to Clarence and Billie Barrett Russell and grew up in Sherman graduating from Sherman High School – Class of 1954. She then went on to Austin College and graduated with a BA in Education, followed by an MA in Teaching.

In 1959, Elaine embarked on a teaching career that lasted for thirty-five years, two years with Dallas ISD followed by thirty-three years with the Sherman Independent School District. She loved every second of her chosen career and each child that walked into her classroom. Elaine has and continues to have a lasting impact on all of her students by loving each and every one as if they were her own.

On June 11, 1960, Elaine married Arthur Olson of Erie, PA, at the First United Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas. It was a union that lasted 64 plus years and produced two sons, Russell Olson and George Olson. Elaine was an active and lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Sherman and sang for 71 years in the Chancel Choir, the Handbell Choir and the Methodist Women. She was an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Delta Kappa Gamma Teaching Society. She was also President of the Sherman High Ex-Student Association, The Sherman Historical Society, and volunteered with the Legacy Program of Grayson County, Home Hospice, Sherman Great Days of Service where she made blankets and baby items for newborn children and was a Cub Scout Den mother for many years while her sons were young. One of her many hobbies was making quilts and was a member of the Friendship Methodist Quilting group.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Harry Russell, and brother Clarence “Randy” Russell.
Elaine is survived by her husband, Arthur Olson, son Russell Olson and wife Alexandra of Rockwall, Texas, son George Olson and wife Sandra of Sherman, Texas, and brother George Ray Russell. She was a devoted grandmother to three grandchildren, Brittany Pickens and husband Wes, Karlie Stewart and husband Corey, and William Olson and wife Carly, as well as great grandchildren, Kaliana, Alyssa, and Wyatt Pickens, Jack Henry Stewart, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Elaine will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in Sherman, at 10:00 AM. Rev. Joe Ed Goolsby and Rev. Denice Peckham will officiate. Interment will follow the service at West Hill Cemetery in the Memorial Park Section. The family will greet friends on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Dannel Funeral Home.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com.