Lanelle Montague

Eris LaNelle Montague, née Elkins, passed away on August 4, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas, at the age of 97. LaNelle, as she preferred to be called, was born on February 21, 1927, in Tulia, Texas, to Ernest Vester Elkins and Nancy Inez Pittman. She led a full life marked by her passions and commitments as an artist, farmer, and beloved family matriarch.

LaNelle graduated from Tulia High School at the age of 16 and left her small town for Austin on admission to the University of Texas where she flourished for three years. Finishing her degree was a goal she would not abandon, and she would go on to obtain her bachelor’s degree at West Texas State in 1983. She married Roy Montague in 1948 and moved to Silverton, where she would raise a family of four children and help manage the family farm all the way up until her passing. She was independent, resilient, and a force to be reckoned with at a time when women were being seen and not heard. If nothing else, she was a survivor. Her sense of humor was known by many, and her Christmas cards and birthday calls will be missed by all. 

A woman of many interests, LaNelle enjoyed gardening, traveling with her husband, Roy, to yearly Sea-Bee's Reunions and reconnecting with old friends, and indulging in her love for art, reading (non-fiction only) and learning. She was an accomplished artist and would devote her free time to developing her craft. She was an avid coin collector and took great joy in continually educating herself on various global subjects including monitoring the commodities market on a worldwide scale. Most of all, LaNelle cherished the time spent with her grandchildren who knew her as Meemaw and her great-grandchildren who affectionately called her "Old Grandma."

LaNelle was preceded in death by her parents, brother Roland Elkins, husband, Roy Montague; her son, Roland Montague; grandson, Nathan Schrandt; and sons-in-law, Wayne Schrandt and Mike Hale. She leaves behind a legacy through her daughters, Carron Hale, Janet Schrandt, and Paula Montague; grandchildren, Rhett Montague, Aaron Schrandt (Kaylynn), Amber Schrandt, Crystal Toups (Kevin), Nicholas Schrandt, Logan Fisher (Brittney) and Landon Fisher; great-grandchildren, Evan Martin, Karter Schrandt, Caden Toups, Ally Schrandt, and Alec Schrandt; and great-great-granddaughter, Isabella Martin.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Silverton Cemetery. The Schooler Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. LaNelle's life and contributions will be remembered fondly by all who knew her, and her spirit will live on through the many lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to the Silverton Cemetery Fund.