Laura Jane Elder

Laura Jane Elder entered the gates of heaven on July 28th, 2022 at the age of 50 after a very courageous battle fighting ALS. She was born in San Antonio Texas on September 30, 1971 to Frankie and Frank Weed, Jr. Laura Jane graduated from Uvalde High School and continued her undergraduate education at Texas A&I Kingsville. She went on to get her masters degree from Sul Ross State University. Laura Jane taught school in Uvalde before meeting the love of her life, Joe, and starting their family.

Laura Jane had a passion for Christ. She was a devout Christian and was a true witness to Christ. She was forever encouraging family, friends and strangers to follow Him. Her devotion to family, horses, fair competition and charity was evident in her daily life. Laura Jane spent much of her young life involved in youth rodeo. She also participated in 4-H, showing horses, sheep and Angora goats. In 1990, Laura Jane was crowned Miss Mohair Texas. She served 11 years on the Board of Directors for the Uvalde Youth Rodeo Club, along with being very active in Region VI and VIII Texas High School Rodeo Association. Laura Jane not only coached and gave confidence to her own girls, but every other child participating in youth rodeo.

Laura Jane was a beautiful woman both inside and out. She was always impeccably dressed and lived each day with excitement, enthusiasm, and an unmatched energy. She loved to travel, entertain, and turned each day into a first class affair. Dinners, whether consumed in a formal dining room ()r outdoor patio, were always plated on dinnerware. Paper plates and paper napkins were not utilized because every meal was special. Special in terms of nourishing our bodies and connecting with each other to strengthen family and friendship bonds, as well as, giving praise to the Lord Almighty. Laura Jane was fashionably late for every social event she attended but she was well worth the wait. Her beauty was awe-inspiring as was her ability to personally connect with every individual she met. She took immense pride in her two daughters and all of their accomplishments.
She loved her family fiercely! Laura Jane was drawn to a beautiful sunset, the Nueces River, Lake Amistad and San Miguel de Allende. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, loyalty and a strength that will never be forgotten.

Laura Jane was preceded in death by her father Frank Weed, Jr., sister Sarita Kay Weed, mother-in-law Lana Smidt, husband Donald, and father-in-law Norman Dwight Elder. She is survived by her loving husband of 22 years, Joseph David Elder, daughters Mattie LaVelle and Liza Elaine, mother Frankie Dicke and husband Charlie of Uvalde and Tilden, Texas, sister Linda Gail Dullnig and husband Robert of San Antonio, Texas. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Dana Moore and husband Jerry of Llano, Texas, step brother-in-law Randy Smidt and wife Christi of New Braunfels, Texas, and nieces and nephews, Rad Dullnig, Curry Dullnig, Rolle Dullnig, Meredith Moore, Jake Moore, Dan Smidt, Ben Smidt, and numerous extended family members and friends.

A viewing will be held at Rushing Estes Knowles Funeral Home in Uvalde, Texas on Friday, August 12th from 5pm to 7pm. A private burial service will take place on the morning of Saturday August 13th.

Please join the family in a Fiesta celebration of her life at Elderado Stables in Uvalde on Saturday, August 13th from 7pm to 11pm. We will toast Laura Jane and have some sweet words at sunset.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Uvalde Youth Rodeo Club. P.O. Box 5414, Uvalde, TX 78802