Mary Elizabeth Partridge

Mary Elizabeth Partridge of Hammond, LA. lost her battle with diabetes at her home on February 10, 2018. Born in Atlanta to the late John and Agnes Partridge on August 9, 1948, Elizabeth grew up in Avondale Estates and attended school there. She received a BA from Belhaven College in Jackson, MS., and an M.Ed and an Ed. D from the University of Mississippi.

A lifelong educator, she taught Early Childhood Education for 34 years at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. She loved all of her students and fondly remembered the kindergarten children she taught in the Lab School. Ahead of her time, she believed in “Hands On” teaching, and taught math through cooking, social studies through her personal “Smithsonian Institute,” and science using Jello in experiments. She was loved and respected by her students and admired by her co-workers.

Retiring in 2010, Elizabeth turned her creativity to painting. She trained with various Art Guild members and showed her works in the Hammond Regional Arts Center, the Rutland Street Gallery, and was selected to show at Southeastern Louisiana’s President’s home for the Louisiana Fine Arts Showcase. She joined the Krewe of Omega and participated in her final parade and ball the first weekend in February.

Elizabeth loved to play games, be creative and travel…spending time every year at the family cottage in Myrtle Beach. She recently reconnected with classmates at her high school 50th Reunion!

Elizabeth is survived by her brothers and sisters: Johnny and Mary Lois Partridge, Chapel Hill, NC; Dorothy Partridge and Margaret and Clark Lunsford of Avondale Estates; Jimmy and Laura Partridge of Lilburn; nephews and nieces…Tommy and Randy Partridge, Jennifer and Taylor Poole and Maggie and Nino Yepez , great nieces and nephews and many cousins. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 18 from 3-5 at the Avondale Community Club in Avondale Estates, GA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Elizabeth’s memory to the American Diabetes Association or to Southeastern Louisiana University – Department of Early Childhood Education.