Elsie Mae Tidwell

Elsie Tidwell, age 86, of Amarillo, entered into Heaven on January 2, 2026, in Amarillo.

A funeral to honor her life will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.

Elsie was born on July 2, 1939, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to her parents, Richard Lee and Dora Francis Cooper. She married Colby Lee Tidwell on October 10, 1956, in Ventura, California, and together they shared 35 years of marriage before his passing in 1991.

Elsie was a loving and devoted wife and mother who found her greatest joy in time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family was the center of her life, and she cherished every moment she shared with them.

After the loss of her husband, Elsie began a working career at Hobby Lobby, where she faithfully served for the next 25 years. She became well known and deeply loved for her beautiful homecoming mums and wedding floral arrangements. Elsie developed a loyal following, and her customers could always count on her creativity, expertise, welcoming smile, and kind spirit. She took great pride in her work and in the relationships she built along the way.

Elsie will be remembered for her gentle heart, strong work ethic, and warm spirit, as well as her love for frozen Dr Pepper, fishing, and the quiet joys that made life sweet.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Colby, on May 17, 1991; her daughter, Debbie Tidwell, on March 14, 2002; three brothers; three sisters; and a daughter-in-law, Laura Tidwell.

Elsie is survived by her children: Sam Tidwell; Dora Evans and husband Wayne; and Marshal Tidwell, all of Amarillo; a niece, Dena Dickson of Oklahoma City; several other nieces and nephews; eight grandchildren—Justin Kesler and wife LeAnn of Paducah, Texas; Amber Cox and husband Clint of Bastrop, Texas; Jamie Welling and husband Scott; Zach Tidwell and wife Brandi; Kallie Schuchart and husband Dillan; Destinee Tidwell, all of Amarillo, Texas; Saebra Berland of Denver, Colorado; and Colby Tidwell of Amarillo, Texas; and fifteen great-grandchildren: Faith Kesler, Jacob Kesler, Mikaelah Cox, Marley Doss, Presley Doss, Parker Sturgess, Tinzley Tidwell, JuliAnn Kesler, Lillith Main, Brier Cox, Lane Schuchart, Cohen Welling, Damien Wilburn, Elle Schuchart, and Gentry Welling.