Lubbock Christian University mourns death of faculty member, president’s mother Elaine Perrin

Elaine Perrin stands during the press conference announcing the selection of her son Tim as Lubbock Christian University's new president. (File photo provided by Lubbock Christian University)

Elaine Wythe Perrin and her husband Lester came to Lubbock Christian College in 1960. Living across the street from the campus, raising their five strong children here, the Perrin character of faith and determination and dedication is woven deeply into the place.
Elaine was a librarian and a teacher of literature and composition. Her students quickly saw that she was intense about their learning and focused on their development. She told the truth with a smile, and because of that she was one of the professors that alumni seek out when they return to campus. Her opposition to pretention of any kind is imbedded in the LCU spirit. “Keep it real” was something Elaine lived.

Read the full tribute by Emily Young Lemley and an obituary by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Tim Perrin reflected on his parents in an interview with The Christian Chronicle earlier this year. His mother was 83 at the time of that interview in February.

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  Mrs. Perrin was my English Literature professor at Lubbock Christian in the early 90’s. She made such an impression on me. She gave me great encouragement in my dreams of teaching and writing, was always there to lend support and love. She was a woman of God, such a presence in my life and will always, always be in my heart.

  Debbie

  August, 17 2012

  I’m reposting a shortened version of what I posted on facebook after I heard of Mrs. Perrin’s passing:
  I grieve for the loss of Elaine Perrin. I rejoice that she was blessed to pass quietly in her sleep to be with her Lord and Savior as well as her loving husband.
  Of all the influences I had in my life, Mrs. Perrin, as I always think of her, was the greatest mentor I had in my role as a teacher, particularly a university professor, a mentor to students, and a thoughtful reader of books. She was the one who said, “you should go back to school and get your graduate degree and come back to teach at LCU,” so I did.
  She continued caring about me when I was no longer her student–I think she thought of all former students as her continuing students–asking me what I was reading. In one of the last conversations I had with her, she was asking me about the Native American literature I was teaching. I always respected her opinion.
  I don’t know if I ever told her enough how important she has been to me. I hope she knows.
  –Ronna Privett

  Ronna Privett

  August, 23 2012