Elouida Preston passed from this life on December 18, 2024. Lockie "Elouida" Thomas was born in Littlefield, Texas on March 27, 1933, to Marvin Thomas and Lucille (Bowling) Thomas. She grew up in various small towns in Texas and New Mexico. The family eventually made their home in Lubbock, Texas and Elouida graduated from Lubbock High School in 1949. She attended Texas Tech University where she was a member of the sorority later known as Kappa Kappa Gamma. She met her future husband through her best friend. Elouida and Duane Preston married in 1950 in Lubbock. In 1952, their first child, Duanna, was born in Lubbock. Elouida and Duanna then spent 2 years in El Paso while Duane was serving with the army in Alaska during the Korean War. The family then moved back to Lubbock. In 1957, Kevin was born in Lubbock and in 1958 Lane was also born in Lubbock.

When all of her children were settled in their respective schools, Elouida returned to Texas Tech University and received her Elementary Education degree, while also raising three active children. She began her teaching career at Parkway Elementary and then taught at Rush Elementary, both in Lubbock. In 1984, Duane took a job in New Prague, Minnesota, where they lived for 17 years until Duane retired in 2001. They then returned to Lubbock. Since then she has devoted her time to being a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will always be remembered by her family and many former students. Elouida and Duane were faithful members of Southcrest Baptist Church.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 74 years, Duane; children, Duanna Odom and husband, Mike, of Ransom Canyon, TX, Kevin Preston and wife, Debbie, of Aurora, CO, and Lane Preston and wife, Terri, of Lubbock, TX; 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister, Glenna Whitaker of Garland, TX.

Elouida was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Gerry Thomas.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. Cremation services are under the direction of House of Angels Funeral Home.