Elsie Tee Youngblood Rudd , of Center, Texas, passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 100 on Saturday, October 20, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. She was affectionately known as "Ma" to her family in her golden years.

Elsie Tee was born December 13, 1911, in the Day Community of Shelby County to the late Everett and Minnie Haight Youngblood. When she was seven her family moved to the Mt. Herman Community. She grew up working the family farm and was an exceptional basketball player in high school along with her sister, Duetta. She married Roy Rudd in 1931 and they started a family in the Jericho Community in which he grew up. Together they rose to prominence as Shelby County farmers and ranchers and were leaders in the community.

Elsie Tee raised cattle and chickens, grew watermelons and other crops and worked the fields for most of her life. One of her passions was gardening; she was at home in her garden. At age 92, she applied her expertise to grow a 150 pound watermelon, winning the Shelby County, Texas "What-A-Melon Festival's" largest melon contest. She loved anything outdoors; she found peace in fishing and was an avid hunter until age 96, bagging deer and elk throughout Texas and Colorado. She was a prolific world traveler, visiting more than 50 countries on six continents with her travels chronicled in her numerous photo albums.

Elsie Tee was a devoted Christian, wife of a church elder and a long-time Sunday school teacher. She attended Mt. Pleasant and Hurst Street Churches of Christ and was very active in the ministry. She served God diligently in countless ways, including visiting the sick and infirm in her community and providing food for the needy. She was the consummate host and enjoyed having friends and family over for gatherings to share meals and time together. She was well known for her exceptional cooking and sewing skills.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Rudd, and her son-in-law, Roy Spradley. She is survived by her children; Glenda Spradley of Lufkin, Bobbie Smiley and husband Ray of Houston and William Rudd and wife Dianna of Dallas, grandchildren; Jeff Spradley and wife Patti, Lori Spradley Haney and husband Chuck, Gina Smiley McMahon, Jill Smiley Taylor and husband Greg, Barry Rudd and Matthew Rudd, great-grandchildren; Charlie Haney, Zachary Haney, Ashley Mays and husband John, Brianna McMahon, Matthew McMahon, Ashley Taylor, Anna Taylor and Jacob Taylor, great-great-grandchildren; Maggie and Jaiden Mays, and sisters-in-law; Florence McFatter Rudd of Jackson, Tennessee, and Vaneta Rudd Walker and husband Tommy of Euless – and special caregivers/friends; Pat Sherman and Sandra Mims.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 26, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with Tim Perkins and family members officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in the Jericho Community. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, October 25, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Jeff Spradley, Chuck Haney, Barry Rudd, Matthew Rudd, Greg Taylor and Matthew McMahon. Honorary pallbearers are Charlie Haney, Zachary Haney, John Mays, Jacob Taylor, Carl Rudd, Gene Bradshaw and Rodney Golden.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hurst Street Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935.