Lois Elizabeth Atchley

Elizabeth Atchley of Houston, TX crossed over into the arms of angels on August 15, 2018 where she joins her late husband, Beck Atchley in eternal love. A genuine southern lady with a true Texas grit, she was elegant and sharp witted with the warmest, giving spirit. She was fearless until the end and for nearly 4 years she battled the dismantling disease, dementia with grace and determination. Now she is finally free from imprisonment. She took her last breaths in Boerne, TX with her two loving daughters by her side.

Born May 5, 1932 in Wingate, TX to Burton Hubert and Bertha Pricilla Pritchard, she was the youngest child of ten. The family survived the Great Depression and WWII. Growing up, she worked hard on the family farm, but found a great escape by riding her treasured horse named Dulce whenever she could. An excellent student, she was valedictorian of her high school where she graduated early at age sixteen. She put herself through college at the University of North Texas earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and home-economics. After graduating, she became an educator in the Houston area where she began a life-long journey influencing future generations.

She married Beck Atchley on August 25, 1956 and the dashing couple had a deep love for each other. They first resided in Houston where they raised two daughters. In 1987, they moved to Friendswood and divided their time between that residence and their beach house on Galveston Island. Both in Houston and in Galveston, they had meaningful relationships with their neighbors and community that endured throughout the rest of their lives.

After 20+ years of teaching in the classroom, Elizabeth became Registrar at Westbury HS. She took many students under her wing to ensure that they would graduate. She had a special interest in kids who were at risk and lacked support from home. Frequently, she stayed late to tutor any student who was willing, and she guided them to reach success by graduating and building their life skills.

She was known for her delicious food and won over many hearts for it. Some of her top dishes that she was famous for were: crisp sugar cookies, banana pudding, Texas chocolate sheet cake, shrimp butter, crab au gratin, cornbread dressing, fried fish and shrimp with hush puppies and homemade peach ice cream … just to name a few.

She turned her passion for cooking into a second career in her sixties, where she became a professional food stylist working for national magazines and newspapers. She developed that role and became a stylist for fashion advertising at Foley’s, Niemen Marcus and other major retailers. These years were some of the happiest in her professional life. She thrived in the fast-paced environment and embraced the chance to express her creativity. But mostly, she enjoyed being around young people in the industry who were drawn to her fun, caring ways. In turn, she mentored them and became a second mother to many.

She was involved in her church and enjoyed helping others. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Friendswood where she coordinated meal delivery for those in need in that community for ten years.

Nothing was more important to Elizabeth than her family. Her ultimate pride and joy were her grandchildren. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend - she inspired them all with her kindness, tenacity, strong values, generosity, humor, quick smarts and huge heart.

Elizabeth is forever loved and never forgotten.