Elaine Marcia Sledge Saffold was born to the late Jessie L. and Elice Montana Sledge on September 15, 1954, in Tampa, Florida. She was the youngest of five children. She was educated in Hillsborough County Schools and graduated from Leto Senior High School in 1972. After high school she attended and graduated from Bethune Cookman College (University) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1976. While there, she was initiated into the Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1974`. She continued her service in Alpha Kappa Alpha by transferring her membership into the local chapter, Gamma Theta Omega, and was a Golden Star Soror.

She continued her education at the University of Tampa. Elaine was a retired educator from Hillsborough County School System, where she began and ended her teaching career at Twin Lakes Elementary School having spent 38 (thirty-eight) years teaching elementary school children leaving an impact on the countless lives she touched. Elaine served her community through the Bethesda Food Pantry at the 34th Street Church of God, under the leadership of Bishop Thomas Scott. Elaine was an active member of Lucy Dell Community Association and was involved in planning events and improvements. She was a member and officer in GTC of Jack and Jill of America and devoted member of Bethune Cookman University Hillsborough Alumni Chapter. She was a member of the Magnificent March Hostess Group and had worked with sorority's community services, HBCU initiative and served on other committees.

The bonds of love and sisterhood as an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman extended through generations as Elaine followed the footsteps of her beloved sister the late Golden Soror Evelyn Sledge Gyden (IBW), the late Golden Soror Bertha M. Kemp (IBW) and first cousin, Golden Soror Noralyn Sledge Hill. Elaine's legacy continues with her daughter Brittany Saffold as they together embraced the values contributing to a love of unity and service. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jessie L. (Elice) Sledge and sisters, Shirley Sledge and Evelyn Sledge Gyden.

She leaves to cherish her beautiful memories with her daughter Brittany Elice Saffold; sister, Ora Sledge Chester (Fred); brother, Jerald Sledge (Louise); nephews, Henry Gyden, Adrian Gyden and Jerald Sledge II; niece, Rasheda Sledge; aunt, Ellis M. Montana; brother-in-law, Henry Gyden; great niece, Daesha Gyden; great nephews, Arlen Gyden and Kamrhyn Moore; special cousin, Anjorie Sledge; devoted caregiver, Corquisha Mosley; and a host of other cousins, Anderson, Hill, Larry, Sledge, Dorsey, Laster, Montana, Pope, Render, Scott, Taylor, Wright, and Hayes families; special friends, Betoria Watson, Barbara Davis and Julia Jackson; and a host other relatives and friends