Elizabeth Ann (Beth) Amen O'Brien

Elizabeth Ann (“Beth”) Amen O’Brien, born December 3, 1947, to Zelime Lytle Amen and Col. Henry J. Amen, Jr., passed away December 27, 2023, shortly after her 76th birthday. A sixth-generation Texan, Beth is survived by her true love and partner in life, her husband James Charles (“Jim”) O’Brien, Jr. Beth also leaves behind in love their two sons, Col. James Charles O’Brien III (USAF Ret.) and wife Dr. Kelsey Hamilton O’Brien, with their children, James and Hamilton, and William Lytle O’Brien and wife Mollie Cayzer O’Brien, with their children, Hank, Barton, and Annie. Beth was named in honor of her great-aunt, Elizabeth (“Jiggy”) Lytle, who, together with Mary Ellen (“Bly”) Lytle, raised Beth’s mother and her 3 siblings after their parents passed away. Beth became “Jiggy” to her loving grandchildren.

Beth was above-and-beyond a model of selflessness with family, friends, and anyone she encountered. She was steadfast in her kindness, goodness, optimism, encouragement, hospitality, helpfulness, and interest in others.

Beth received her bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of the Incarnate Word and her master’s from Trinity University. Throughout her 43-year teaching career, countless music students attending schools in the Northeast ISD, UTSA, and the San Antonio Academy gained a lasting appreciation for both classical and contemporary music due to her inspiration and excellent teaching skills.

Beth was an accomplished photographer at all family events and also, with her husband, was a successful entrepreneur. They introduced the joy of creativity through LEGOS to many San Antonio area children. Beth was also a highly successful consultant for The Pampered Chef for 29 years. Additionally, she founded The Social Directory of San Antonio and served as Editor for 33 years. She followed in her mother’s footsteps as a caring landlord and in her father’s footsteps as a patriotic American. Beth embraced an abiding and broad commitment to her community and to her Catholic faith. With an enduring sense of duty, she participated in and held significant volunteer positions in the Battle of Flowers Association, the Monte Vista Garden Club (President), The Fenwick Club, the Merry Wives Dancing Club, The Forum, the Timely Topics Club, and the Military-Civilian Club. She was a valued member of the Olmos Park Welcoming Committee, and, together with Jim, revitalized The Lamplighters (President). She was active as a loyal member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and the University of the Incarnate Word Alumni Association. Beth initiated the Olmos Park Fourth-of-July Parade, and 42 years ago, she raised funds for, and planted, the now-mature trees on the formerly barren Alameda Circle.This past summer, Beth and Jim celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a festive family gala that included four generations of family members who enjoyed each other’s company, catching-up, singing, and dancing until far into the evening.

Beth left us following a brief but courageous fight against cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her grandparents, Judge Nelson Lytle and Zelime Pettus Lytle of San Antonio, and Henry J. Amen and Maria Barbara Wacker Amen of Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition to her devoted husband Jim and their sons and families, Beth is survived by her six siblings, Zelime Amen Ward and spouse James T. of Fort Worth, Barbara Amen Harper and spouse Laurence K. of New Hampshire, Henry J. Amen III and spouse Kathy, Ruth Amen Berg and spouse James R., Lucy Amen Warner, Nelson P. Amen and spouse Sheila of San Antonio. Beth also leaves many family members who will always hold her close in their memories: an expansive cohort of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, including her cousin Elizabeth Pettus Holmgreen Calvert and son Edward Holmgreen and his spouse Joan, her cousin, Father George Montague, S.M., her cousin Karen Sue Amen Goeke, her cousin, Jay Killea and spouse Suzanne, and her Aiguier cousins Robert, Sallie, and Bill and their spouses.

On Friday, January 5, there will be a Visitation (6:30-7:00 PM) and Rosary (7:00 PM) at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 223 East Summit, followed by a Mass of Celebration on Saturday, January 6, at 10:30a.m.

Pallbearers will be James Tillman Ward Jr., Laurence Kent Harper III, Henry John Amen III, James Richard Berg, Nelson Paul Amen, Louis Werner, Michael Wark, Clarence Rife, Timothy O'Brien, and Nicholas Alan Warner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alan Warner, Edwin O'Brien, James Tillman Ward III, Collins Pettus Ward, Walton Henry Ward, Laurence Kent Harper IV, Henry John Amen IV, James Richard Berg, Jr., Thomas Pettus Berg, Christopher Nelson Amen, Timothy Joseph Amen, Jonathan O'Brien, Andrew Werner, Steven Rife, and Timothy O'Brien, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Zelime Lytle Amen Braun Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Incarnate Word. Please choose “other designation” to select the scholarship, https://www.uiw.edu/give/index.html, or memorials may go to a charity of one’s choice.