Arla Elston

The Reverend Arla J. Elston, 81, of Claremont, CA, died April 15, 2010 at Pilgrim Place in Claremont.

Reverend Elston was born March 21, 1929, to Floyd and Ethel Harvey Elston in Woodbine, Iowa. Following a public school education in Woodbine she went on to graduate from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

After teaching public school music for several years Rev. Elston finished studies at the Graduate Theological Seminary of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. She then served as minister of music and education in the First Christian Churches of Cushing, Oklahoma; Rogers, Arkansas; and Clarksville, Tennessee.

Rev. Elston was employed by the Arkansas Council of Churches' Migrant Ministry until she was ordained in 1964 and became Campus Minister for Arkansas Christian Churches at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Other positions she held include Associate Minister on the staff of the Christian Church in Forth Worth, Texas and as executive director for campus ministry for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

In 1975 Rev. Elston became the minister of Compton Heights Christian Church in south St. Louis, Missouri. While there she served on several of the denomination's commissions on compassion and congregational ministry.

In 1982, Rev. Elston became minister of First Christian Church in Olympia. Washington. During her ministry in Olympia she served as Vice-chairperson for Congregational/Community Relations of Associated Ministries and was instrumental in preparing and organizing ecumenical activities including a "first" Community Thanksgiving Worship Service.

Rev. Elston chaired the regional Commission on the Ministry of her denomination, and served on the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and its Administrative Committee. She was Vice Moderator and Moderator of the Northwest Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In October of 1994, Rev. Elston retired from active ministry and moved to Pilgrim Place the following year. In retirement she enjoyed many good times with her friends and her extended family and participated in numerous activities at Pilgrim Place.

Rev. Elston's grandfather, Viele M. Elston, served as pastor of the First Christian Church here in Woodbine for many years.

Memorial services took place at the First Christian Church of Pomona, CA on Thursday, April 22, 2010.