After moving to Wichita as a teenager, Elissa graduated from Maize High School in 2007 and Wichita State University in 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science and also minors in chemistry and biology. Elissa was employed at Oxy Chemical Corporation as a chemist.
Elissa and Brandi were married on March 16, 2014 on a sandy beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They brought their daughter, Hayzlee, into the world in 2017. Elissa was a natural mommy and loved her new role. Our daughter shares Elissa’s spirit and she will continue to live on through this precious gift.
Elissa loved people with a passion. She always wore a smile on her face that was contagious. She loved to be silly and go on “merry little adventures” with her wife and friends. She was a Disney fanatic breaking into a song and dance whenever the desire struck. She had a bright light inside her that shone upon everyone she loved. Elissa will be missed dearly and will remain in our hearts forever.
She is survived by her wife, Brandi Warns-Branson; daughter, Hayzlee Warns-Branson; parents, Paul and Heather Warns; grandmother, M. Marie Nelson; great-aunt, Hazel Southard; parents-in-law, Bruce and Judy Branson, brother, Daniel Warns; sister, Amanda Warns; sisters-in-law, Lisa Tolbert and Michele Ford; brother-in-law, Jamey (Alicia) Branson; aunts, Anne (John) van Duzor and Margie Scales; uncle, Tom (Kathy) Nelson; cousins, Sophie Nelson, Matt Nelson, Bill Scales, Julie Scales, Jennifer Anderson; friends, Robyn and Courtney Douty, Amy Munoz and Satcy Egnor, Randi and Ashley Lunch; and her beloved dogs, Nala and Zayda.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Tuesday, December 11, 2018 and her Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2018, both at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Hwy 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209.
