Obituaries

1936-2021

Elaine Wickens Amor, age 85, passed away peacefully Oct. 11, at her home in Lewisville, Texas.

Born to John Walter and Dorothy Wickens in 1936 in Spencer, she graduated from Plymouth High School in Plymouth, which began her long pursuit of higher education.

Elaine married Richard Amor in 1958, and together they had two lovely daughters, Jane and Julie who were raised in Schoolcraft, Mich. Being the eternal student and teacher, she continued her educational pursuits after her daughters finished college, with graduate courses in Denton, Texas, a 2nd Bachelors degree in Secondary Home Economics from Western Michigan University, another M.S. in Education at Indiana University, graduate courses from Purdue University and Eastern Michigan University, and went on to complete all classes for her PHD.

Elaine moved to Cookeville, Tenn. in 1989 and immediately obtained a position on the White County School Board while teaching Home Economics and Art at the White County High School. She also attended TTU for additional certification in K-12 and taught at Monterrey High School for three years.

Later she taught at Robertson County Schools, Springfield, Tenn., and upon her retirement in 2006, she was honored with a personal Letter of Appreciation from George W. Bush who told her “By building the minds and character of our country’s youth, teachers enrich lives and inspire students to achieve their full potential. Your hard work and dedication reflect the spirit of our Nation.”

Of course, it was not in Elaine’s nature to completely retire, so she remained active in civic duties in Cookeville for many years. She served on the PCRP Executive Committee in 2014 -2016 and was instrumental in organizing the fundraiser for (soon-to-be) Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson.

Elaine’s avid involvement in civic and community affairs led to many friendships that were true and lasting. She will be remembered fondly by family and friends as a loving mother, a tenacious student and teacher, a fervent OU (University of Oklahoma) fan, a proud patriot and strong community leader. Those closest to her will also never forget her keen wit and sense of humor.

Elaine is survived by two brothers, Marvin Wickens of Warsaw, and Keith Wickens of Plymouth,; one sister and her husband, June and Richard Breeding, Plymouth; two daughters and son-in-laws, Jane and Frank Tindall, Highland Village, Texas; Julie and Dan Dugan, Somerville, S.C. She also has four wonderful grandchildren who she was so proud of and loved very much; Nick Tindall, Memphis, Tennessee; Dalton Tindall (her IT expert) of Highland Village, Texas; Alex Tindall Mcmillan (whom she bragged about as a member of the OU POM Team) and Michael Mcmillan of Highland Village, Texas.

Services for Elaine will be held at Dalton and Sons Funeral Home in Lewisville, Texas Saturday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. Central Time. If you wish to view or speak, they have set up a Zoom viewing for friends and family. You can get the Zoom link and password by viewing Elaine’s obituary on Dalton and Sons website. The family has requested no flowers but if you would like to make donations, they request you do so with either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Elaine’s home church in Cookeville, Colonial View Baptist Church on W. Cemetary Road.

Cookeville was Elaine’s primary home before she left for Texas to be closer to family, so there will also be a Celebration of Life held in Cookeville at Southern Hills Golf Course’s Magnolia Room on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m., 4749 Ben Jared Road. If you have special photos or memories, please bring them with you as we celebrate our friend and a life well lived.