Jennifer Leigh Elias

Jennifer Leigh Elias, age 47, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on April 19, 1976, in Alton, Illinois to Barbara Jean Schultz and Gary Lavern Elledge. She graduated in 1994 from Alton High School in Alton, Illinois. Jennifer held a B.S. in Spanish (1999) from Missouri State University and a B.S. in Nursing (2011) from Cox College, both in Springfield, Missouri.

She is survived by her husband, Ray Elias of San Antonio, Texas; mother, Barbara Elledge of Godfrey, Illinois; father, Gary Elledge (Emily Lebow) of Greensboro, Georgia; brother, Brett Elledge (Jessica, Brayden, Makenna) of Wood River, Illinois; step brother, Jason Barnett of Clearwater, Florida; daughter, Jaela Boeve of San Antonio; son, Jaxon Boeve of San Antonio; stepdaughter, Tatiana Elias of San Antonio; uncle, Mark Elledge (Vickie) of Houston, Texas, aunt, Marcia Dawson (Bob) of Batchtown, Illinois; uncle, Scott Elledge (Lynn) of Houston, TX, and uncle, Todd Elledge (Tanya) of Spanish Fort, Alabama, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jennifer’s passion was helping others, officially through her work as a Registered Nurse working for the San Antonio healthcare system. She dedicated herself to the well-being of her patients, leaving a lasting impact on the medical community. Being a nurse was not just a profession; it was a deeply ingrained part of her identity. Her journey into the field of nursing was driven by a profound desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who were suffering. Her most recent contribution to patient care was as a Rapid Response Nurse, a position that demanded quick thinking, immense expertise, and the ability to handle high-stress situations with grace. Jennifer's skills and dedication in this role were nothing short of exceptional, and it was no surprise that she received extensive recognition and respect from her colleagues and patients alike.

Outside of work, she would do anything she could to make someone’s day a little bit easier. She had an innate ability to empathize with the struggles and challenges of those around her, and she made it her mission to make the world a kinder and more compassionate place. She was known for her generosity and her ability to brighten someone's day. A simple hug, a kind word, or a compassionate shoulder to lean on were the hallmarks of her character. She was quick to offer her support and went out of her way to ensure that everyone around her felt valued and cared for. Whether it was a friend going through a difficult time, a coworker facing a challenging situation, or a complete stranger in need of a helping hand, Jennifer was always quick to give of herself. Her actions reflected the core values of empathy, compassion, and selflessness. Her legacy of love and compassion will continue to inspire others to follow in her footsteps, making the world a better place one act of kindness at a time

Jennifer’s favorite thing to do was spend her free time with family. She enjoyed traveling to new places around the world and visiting historical sites. She often researched the history of people and places and was a great resource to the family when sharing details about whatever was going on at the time. Everyone knew if there was some ambiguity about anything, Jennifer would quickly jump on her phone and research it to settle any doubt. In recent times, Jennifer developed a fascination with "food experiences." Having grown up in the Midwest she had limited exposure to world cuisines, but once she had a few great experiences eating diverse cultural foods, she was hooked. Always searching for new and exciting places to try different foods and take in cultures from around the world, she took the lead and had a list of new experiences ready to go at a moment's notice.

Star Trek! Jennifer loved Star Trek and would rewatch movies and the series any time she could. She was also very interested in space travel and enjoyed observing constellations and other astrological events, using mobile apps and her telescope. She could always point to celestial bodies and always knew when and where to look, seemingly always prepared to star gaze.

Jennifer will be missed deeply by her friends, family, and the San Antonio healthcare community. She made a profound impact on our lives and we can only merit to keep her memory alive through ongoing acts of kindness and compassion.

MEMORIAL SERVICESUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 202310:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST

In place of flowers, please contribute to help establish The Jennifer Elias Foundation for Nurses by clicking here: Jennifer Elias Foundation