Elizabeth Rivers Stayton

Elizabeth Rivers Stayton passed away Friday evening, June 3, 2011. She was born September 9, 1914 to Lucy Blocker Rivers and William Howard Rivers Jr. in Elgin, Texas, and is a 4th generation Texan. She graduated from Elgin High School at age 16 and went to college at Sophie Newcomb in New Orleans. She pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and was initiated at Theta national convention in Estes Park, Colo. As a teenager she began training as a classical pianist in New York City. She returned to Texas to complete college at the University of Texas graduating Phi Beta Kappa. After she met and married her husband, John W. Caudill, they moved to his home in Blytheville, Ark., where they lived for over 30 years raising their four children. While in Blytheville, she was active as a church organist and became a pilot flying her own plane. In 1970, she returned to Austin and in 1976, married R.B. Rylander, who died unexpectedly later that year. After moving to Austin, she joined the Theta Sewing Club and the Austin Book Club. She continued her interest in classical music and became active with the Austin Lyric Opera. Several years later, she married Jack Stayton. She was always very active in her communities and especially loved her travels throughout the world. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Lucy and husband Victor Kormeier, John Caudill and wife Claire, Bill Caudill and wife Chris, and Judy and husband Bill Atkinson; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Special thanks to her caregivers and especially to her long-time helpers, Ina Jo Graham and Tiburcio Vasquez. The family will receive friends at her home on Friday, June 10th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. A memorial service will be conducted at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin on Saturday, June 11th at 11 a.m. Inurnment is 3 p.m. the same day at Elgin Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Elizabeth Stayton to St. David's Church, 301 E. 8th St., Austin, Texas 78701; Episcopal High School Endowment Fund, 4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, Texas 77401; First United Methodist Church, 216 W. 3rd St., Elgin, Texas 78621; or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements and care are entrusted to the staff of Elgin Funeral Home.