Elena D. Smith

Elena D. Smith, 39, of New Braunfels, Texas, stepped into the arms of Jesus with her family by her side on December 13, 2025. Elena will be remembered for the way she loved and served her family, friends, and community. She loved to sing, dance, and make her family and friends laugh.

Elena was born October 3, 1986, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived in the area until she was almost four years old. Growing up, Elena was the first in many areas. First born (of 7), first to be married, first to have children, and the first to volunteer. She wanted to be right in the thick of everything from auto mechanics to baking. She enjoyed singing and acting in musicals, performing on the dance team, and flip-flopping her way in gymnastics through her elementary years. Elena loved the logical predictable patterns of mathematics. She began learning Algebra in fourth grade and zoomed on to devour its intricacies.

She has lived in the central Texas area, Florida, and Illinois. In 2002, she moved back to Texas and spent the rest of her high school years in Wimberley. During high school, Elena trained at Christian Youth in Action and was on several teams to teach kids about God at Five Day Clubs and Good News Clubs. She attended AWANA clubs from third grade through twelfth and was the proud recipient of the Citation Award in 2005.

Elena graduated from her family's homeschool in 2005. Her nicknames growing up were 'Snucums' and later 'Pre-Doc'. She dreamed of becoming a doctor someday. This led to volunteering in a hospital in Rockford, Illinois. It also led to her transferring from Texas State University (San Marcos) to Texas Tech University (Lubbock). After completing several years of college, she asked to come home and take a short break. This turned into a longer break when she met John. They shared a love of music and a love for the Lord. God put a call on her life to become a wife and mother. She loved both roles and greatly loved her husband and sons.

Elena served in many capacities at church: singing on the worship team, serving as a leader in Regeneration, and as a staff member at Springs Community Church, New Braunfels, where she and her family worshipped.

Elena was preceded in death by her mom's parents, Harry and Grace Doan, her dad's father, Luis Magaña, and her Uncle Chito. She is survived by her husband of 17 years, John, their two sons, Levi Cooper and Carter Wyatt; her parents Tony and Susan Magaña of Wimberley, TX; abuelita Mama Rosa Magaña; siblings Alicia (Todd) Stoltzfus and their sons, Hunter, Oaklen, Andrik and Milo of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Andrea, Briana, Cecilia, Mariana and Samuel Magaña.

Psalm 91:4 – "He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will find refuge. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."

A Memorial Service will be held at T Bar M Camps on Sunday, December 21st at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, Elena requests donations be made in the form of gift cards (HEB, Visa, etc.) to her 3 men left behind, even in death her last request was to help care for her family.