Elizabeth Hope Walker Means

Elizabeth Hope Walker Means, 93, went to be with her Lord on December 9, 2023, after a life filled with teaching, serving, sharing Christ, loving her family, and working with children. She was born in Lufkin, Texas on August 30, 1930, to Laura and Robert Walker, Sr. After high school; she graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Elementary Education.

One of her favorite memories during college was serving as a summer missionary in the Northwest. Planning to return there, she attended Southwestern Baptist Seminary, working on a master's degree. While there, she took organ lessons and developed a lifelong love of playing the organ for church services, funerals, and weddings.

Soon after arriving at seminary, she met John Means in a social work class. As they spent time together, they grew in love and married the next year. They moved to Cuero where John worked at his father's store, Means Furniture & Mattress Company, before eventually co-owning the store with his twin brother, Arthur Means Jr.

Elizabeth faithfully played the organ at Calvary Baptist and First Baptist Church, Cuero and led children’s choirs at both, taking delight in training them in the basics of music. She taught and directed Vacation Bible School as well as weekly children’s Bible classes.

Having a passion for helping others, she and John became foster parents while raising four children and helped families in crisis through the clothing ministry of FBC, Cuero. Her family remembers the numerous bags of clothes she examined; replacing missing buttons, doing minor repairs, washing, and sorting. For years, she faithfully called families on Saturday nights to arrange van rides to church the next day.

Elizabeth and John supported their children, encouraging musical talents in piano and voice. She taught them practical life skills like sewing, cooking, and gardening, and loved home decorating and designing their house. Friends will remember her bringing chocolate sheet cake to potlucks and funerals.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were important, and she looked forward to spending time with them. They counted on her calling and singing “Happy Birthday” each year and loved playing games and laughing a lot when they were together.

Elizabeth is characterized by a spirit of determination and perseverance, compassion for others, and living out her faith.

She is survived by her children, Mary (Jim) Mc-Gown of Richland, WA; Lydia (Kurt) Laughbaum of Ft. Worth, TX; Sarah (Russell) Willoughby of Joplin, MO; and Dr. David Means of Victoria, TX; along with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 14, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at First Baptist Church on Friday, December 15, 2023, 10:00 am with Dr. Glenn Robertson officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

You can honor her memory by giving in her name to First Baptist Church, Cuero (fbccuero. org), the International Mission Board’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for missionaries (imb. org), or the charity of your choice.

You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome. com.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.