Amifaye Willette Elder was born on September 24, 1957, in Fort Worth, Texas, to the late Lee Elder Sr. and Jessie Faye Elder. From the beginning, her life was shaped by family, faith, strength, and love. She became known for her honesty, humor, independence, and the unmistakable way she made people feel seen, supported, and cared for.

On September 23, 2026, just one day before her 69th birthday, Amifaye completed her earthly journey and went home to be with the Lord. Although her presence is deeply missed, the love she gave, the wisdom she shared, and the memories she created remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

Amifaye was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, where she attended A.M. Pate Elementary School, Forest Oak Junior High School, and Polytechnic High School, graduating with the Class of 1976. She and her late younger brother, Chris, later moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in search of a fresh start. There, Amifaye continued her education at Cuyahoga Community College.

Growing up with four brothers helped shape the strength, independence, humor, and honesty that became defining parts of her character. And if you knew Amy, you knew she always had a story to tell.

One favorite family memory was Amy coming home from school and reporting that her brother Arthur had spent the day riding horses and had not taken a bath.

As usual, Arthur got in trouble.

Amy, meanwhile, had simply made sure the truth was properly reported.

That story captures something those who loved Amifaye knew well: she was going to tell you the truth.

Amifaye was genuine, hardworking, funny, and straight to the point. If you asked Amy for advice, she gave you the truth—not necessarily what you wanted to hear, but what she believed you needed to hear. Yet her honesty was always accompanied by compassion. She could be direct without being judgmental, truthful without being harsh, and firm without making anyone feel beneath her. Because she never considered herself better than anyone else, people trusted her.

Amifaye believed in working hard, fulfilling her responsibilities, and standing on her own. Earlier in her career, she worked for Southwestern Bell. She later served as a Family Service Worker in Early Childhood Development with Head Start. Her professional journey eventually led her to the Communications Workers of America, better known as CWA, where she dedicated many years of service before retiring.

Still, the positions she held could never fully describe the woman she was.

Amifaye was a mother not only to the children she gave birth to, but also to countless young people who came through her home and into her life. Her children’s friends affectionately called her “Mom” because they knew they could come to her for advice, comfort, correction, laughter, or simply a safe place to be themselves.

Amy made room for them all.

At home, she could often be found watching crime television, one of her favorite pastimes. She loved to laugh, loved her family deeply, and had a personality that could never be duplicated.

Above everything else, Amifaye loved the Lord. Her Christian faith was not merely something she professed; it was the foundation on which she lived. Through good seasons and difficult ones, she held tightly to her faith in God. That faith gave meaning to her journey, steadiness to her spirit, and hope to those who loved her.

Her family finds comfort in knowing that the woman who trusted God throughout her earthly life is now resting in His presence. They believe she has been reunited with loved ones who went before her and that the faith she carried has brought her safely home.

Amifaye was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Jessie Faye Elder and Lee Elder Sr.; and her siblings, Aubrey Cora, Mike Sr., Chris Sr., and Andre.

She leaves to cherish her memory her four children: Jessica Elder Smith, her husband, Kenny “Trim” Smith Sr., and their children, Kontrell Smith, Dorian Smith, Kenyon “RuRu” Smith, Zalen Smith, Kenny “KJ” Smith Jr., and Olivia Smith;

Jeremy Elder, his wife, Christina Elder, and their son, Jachai Elder;

and her twin daughters, Jasmine Elder and Jennifer Elder, and Jennifer’s sons, Jace’Ali Johnson and Jasiah “Si” Elder.

She also leaves her surviving brothers, Lee Sr. and Arthur Sr. along with her in-laws, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family members, lifelong friends, former coworkers, and all those who came to know and love her as family.

Those who remain are entrusted not only with their grief, but also with everything Amifaye gave them: her example, her words, her laughter, her faith, and her love.

Her legacy lives in her four children and her grandchildren. It lives in the people who still hear her advice in their minds, remember something funny she said, or know exactly what Amy would have told them in a difficult moment.

Her children will carry forward her strength, honesty, independence, humor, faith, and the lessons she taught them. Her grandchildren will carry pieces of her into generations she may never physically meet, ensuring that the story of Amifaye Willette Elder does not end here.

Her family will continue to speak her name, tell her stories, and laugh about the memories. They will remember the truth she told, the love she gave, and the space she made for others. Above all, they will thank God for the years they were blessed to call her Mama, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Family, and Friend.

Though her earthly journey has ended, the life she lived continues to speak. Her love remains in the hearts of those she cared for. Her faith remains in the family she leaves behind. Her lessons remain in the lives she influenced. Her memory remains in every story told and every laugh shared.

And her legacy lives on, not only in the people who knew her, but also in the love they will continue to give because she first gave it to them.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Abundant Life Church, 3806 Curray Rd., Arlington, TX 76001.