Elva Jean (Davidson) Hastings, age 89, of Waco, Texas went to be with her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 7 at 10 AM followed by a Celebration of Life Service from 11 AM to 12 (noon). Both services will be held at the Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Texas. Following the service, guests are invited to attend the graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery.

Elva Jean Davidson Hastings was born at home near the end of the Great Depression on May 6, 1937 to Edgar Glain and Evie Glenna Davidson in the Crecy Community outside of Groveton, TX.

In 1955, she graduated Valedictorian of her 6-person class at Centerville High School (Groveton, TX) and was editor of the high school newspaper, The Bulldog, during her senior year. Jean earned her BBA degree from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1958; graduating in three years. While attending college, she worked part-time for the Bennett and Bennett Law Firm and for the County Clerk (Huntsville, TX).

She met Chester Ray Hastings of Stockdale, TX on February 14, 1960 at the Central Church of Christ (Houston, TX). They had a long-distance courtship between Houston and Austin, and were married 6-months later on August 27, 1960 at the Groveton Church of Christ (Groveton, TX).

After college, she worked for Jefferson Chemical Company (Houston, TX), Jefferson Chemical Laboratories (Austin, TX), Sandlin and Company (Austin, TX), and Sun Oil Company (Corpus Christi, TX). Several years later, she worked for Waco Savings and Loan and then as a realtor /broker with Carriage Company Realtors and Jim Stewart Realtors (Waco, TX).

Over the years, her volunteer work included serving as president of the Cedar Ridge Elementary School PTA; co-leader of a Girl Scout Brownie group, volunteer at Waco High School; volunteer coach of the Waco Christian School girls’ elementary volleyball and basketball teams; and a Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society.

Jean was a lifelong student of the Bible and shared her knowledge of God's Word with others. As a member of the Crestview Church of Christ, she enjoyed teaching children's Bible classes when her children were young. One of her most meaningful ministries was helping others learn English by reading the Bible together through the Friends Speak program. She also attended adult Bible classes and women's Bible studies and completed a five-year Bible Study Fellowship program. Jean enjoyed both sharing her faith and learning from others through her involvement in Care Groups.

Throughout her life she loved sports. She was captain of both her high school basketball (half-court) and volleyball teams, played in tennis leagues at the Sul Ross and TBarM tennis center, and attended Baylor Lady Bears basketball games.

She was an excellent southern cook and enjoyed canning and freezing many foods grown in her and Chester’s backyard garden, including bread-and-butter pickles, canned tomatoes, and fig preserves. She also enjoyed making coconut and chocolate cream pies, apple pies, cornbread dressing, meatloaf, stews and soups for her family and friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 52 1/2 years, Chester Ray Hastings; her parents Edgar Glain Davidson and Evie Glena (Kendrick) Davidson; and her brother E. G. Davidson.

Jean is survived by her daughters Terri Hastings and Allison Hastings of Waco, TX; son Stephen Hastings and wife Kimberly of Boaz, AL; grandson Jase Hastings; step-grandchildren Brittnie (Daniel) Roberson, Cole Sims, and Collin Andrews; step-great-grandchildren Harlie Roberson, Jace Roberson, Lyric Sims and Cayson Sims; sister Betty Nelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Clay Nelson, John Nelson, Jack Oliver, Jamie Oliver, Jeff Oliver, Joe Oliver and Carey Price. Honorary Pallbearers are Stephen Hastings and Jase Hastings.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Crestview Church of Christ Community Food Pantry or Meals on Wheels.