Marie Haywood Elder, 89, of Jonesboro died Monday, May 16, 2005, in the General Baptist Nursing Home at Campbell.

She was born on Dec. 31, 1915, in Piggott, the daughter of the late Louis (Sam) and Susan Bradford Haywood.

She was united in marriage to Vilas H. Elder on Feb. 4, 1935. They had three children.

She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Piggott, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, moderator of the Presbyterian Women and was a member of the church choir. She served on the Piggott Library Board.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vilas H. Elder; three sisters, Ethel Parker, Myrtle Edwards and Mae Clayton; and one brother, Ethridge Haywood.

She is survived by two daughters, Faith Elder Welshans of Little Rock and Hope Elder Spragins of Batesville; one son, Vilas H. Elder and wife, Paulette, of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren, Brad Welshans and wife, Laura, and Beth Welshans and friend, Frank Wood, all of Little Rock, Kelly Marie Purtee and husband, Steve, Clint Parton and wife, Patti, Tahnya Price and husband, Danny, Amanda Waln and husband, Justin, all of Jonesboro, Melanie Caldwell and husband, Vince, of Fort Worth, Texas; 10 great-grandchildren, Wesley Elder Welshans, Laura Marie Purtee, Rachel Purtee, Mallory Parton, Aaron Price, Blake Price, Caleb Price, Parker Waln, Christin Caldwell and Brett Thomas; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday (today), May 18, 2005, in the First Presbyterian Church in Piggott with Rev. Jack Cole and Rev. Robert Norvell officiating. Burial will follow in the Piggott Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Brad Welshans, Clint Parton, Steve Purtee, Danny Price, Justin Waln and Wesley Elder Welshans. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Roeder, Jim Seal, John Harlan, Lloyd Russell, Vince Caldwell, Pharis Edwards, Ray Hogan and James King.

Memorials may be made to the Piggott Presbyterian Church, 210 West Cherry, Piggott, or the Piggott Public Library, 361 West Main Street, Piggott.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.