ELVA JAMES CRUSE LARSON was born June 27, 1902 and
died Aug. 16, 1999. Burial was at Liberty City Cemetery
in Liberty, TX.
Her parents, Charlie & Fannie James had four daughters
and one son. Elva grew up in Shepherd, TX, and later
attended Kidd Key College in Sherman, TX. After college
and while teaching school, she met and married Oscar
Cruse in 1925. Living in Hull, TX, she and Oscar had
three children, Peggy, Deanie and Dan. Oscar died at
an early age in 1940. Elva and the children then moved
to Liberty, TX, where she owned and operated the House
of Flowers for several years. Through relatives in Palo
Pinto County, Elva met Al Larson of Ranger on a fall
deer hunt in 1951. Al and Elva were married in 1952 and
Elva moved to Ranger.
In the 47 years she lived in Ranger, Elva will be remembered
for her sharp wit, determined nature and quick mind. She
was very active in the 1920 Club and the Columbia Study
Club. An avid reader, Elva’s reputation as a reviewer of
books will be a legacy. She continued to present book
reviews we past her 90th birthday. She loved to “debate”
with her friends and to win at the bridge table. She was
proud of her Texas heritage and had a keen sense of Texas
History. A long-time member of St. Rita’s Parish in Ranger,
she wrote a complete history of the church and spearheaded
an effort to have the church granted a Texas historical
marker.
Elva was preceded in death by her husbands, Oscar Cruse &
Al Larson. Also, by her sisters, Leora Clancy, Olive
Clements, Mertis Kennedy, and her brother Ray James. Also
preceding her in death were a daughter, Deanie Cox of
Temple and a great grandson Justin Dean Cox of Grapevine.
At the time of her death, she is survived by her daughter,
Peggy Inzer and husband Slim of Gretna, LA.; son, Dan Cruse
and wife Margie of Dallas and her son-in-law Travis Cox of
Temple. Gladys Crawley of Ranger and Fred Larson and wife
Barbara of Waco have enjoyed Elva’s love for the many years
since Elva married their father. Additionally, she is survived
by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.