Elnora Ann Nugent, 88, of Sundown, Texas, went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 24, 2026, at her home surrounded by love joining the welcoming arms of her husband Gene.

She was born March 12, 1937, on a farm near Melrose, New Mexico. Raised in a hardworking family, she helped gather milk, cream, and eggs to sell in town and attended school in Fields, New Mexico. After graduating, she continued her education at Eastern New Mexico University, where she met the love of her life, Eugene “Gene” Ethridge Nugent.

They were married on September 2, 1956, and shared 64 wonderful years of marriage before his passing. During their college years, Gene purchased their first property, where they built their home and farmed together for decades. When Gene served in the U.S. Army National Guard, their journey included time at Fort Chaffee, Fort Ord, and Fort Hood. Through every season, Elnora faithfully supported her family and later earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Texas Tech University with four children tagging along.

Elnora lived a life rooted in faith, service, and love. Her home was always open, and her kitchen was famous for peach cobbler, Italian cream cheese cake, perfect meringue pies, pecan pie, and oatmeal cookies lovingly prepared for family, friends, and church gatherings. Though small in stature, she was affectionately known as a “firecracker,” full of strength, joy, and determination.

For 20 years, she taught third grade at Sundown ISD, inspiring young minds with creativity and enthusiasm—especially her memorable science lessons that included hatching baby chicks in her classroom. She was a devoted servant of the Lord, faithfully attending First United Methodist Church in Sundown and later serving at First Baptist Church in Levelland, where she sang with Gene in the SonShine Choir sharing the gospel across the U.S. on cruise ships, churches, buses and the local Cracker Barrels. She cherished hearing Gene sing “You Are My Sunshine” and “One Day at a Time,” songs that reflected their enduring love.

Elnora leaves behind a legacy of love, selfless devotion, tireless service, and steadfast faith. She truly made the world a better place and lived as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her children: Tommy Nugent and wife Melissa of Bedford, Indiana and children Lauren Sanders and husband Kyle, Elizabeth Kimmel and husband Brittin, Alyssa Conrad and husband Justin; Neil Nugent and wife Jan of Levelland, Texas and children Latisha McNeel and husband Owen and Andrew Nugent and wife Randi; Carla Lindley of Dallas, Texas and children Alexandra Byerly and husband Sloan, Isabella Feigl and husband Cole, and Sophia Lindley; and Dana Demel of Sundown, Texas and children Jerry Demel, Carl Demel and wife Hanna, Jason Demel and Trae Demel. She loved dearly her six great-grandchildren and was anticipating four more on the way. She also leaves many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oal and Evie (Gibbs) LaRue; her beloved husband, Gene; and her sister, Betty Hogue, and brother-in-law Jim.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 2,2026 at First Baptist Church of Levelland officiated by Cody Favor. Burial will follow at the City of Sundown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 1,2026 at Krestridge Funeral Home in Levelland.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, First Baptist Church, 401 Houston Street, Levelland, Texas 79336, or to a charity of your choice.

Services with integrity, pride, and honor are under the direction of Krestridge Funeral Home. (806) 897-1111