Joan Eloise Elbow

Joan Eloise Elbow 19 Oct 1925 26 July 2015 Joan Eloise (Clayton) Elbow passed away in San Antonio less than three months from her 90th birthday. She was born an only child in Vandalia, Missouri and raised in Missouri, Florida, and Illinois. She attended Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield, Illinois as a boarding student, and graduated in 1943. In 1946 she received her Associate of Science Degree from Springfield Junior College. She went on to attend Nursing School in Springfield, but was forced to drop out when she contracted a case of the chickenpox. She then attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois prior to her marriage. She married Paul X. Elbow, also of Springfield, Illinois, in 1948 in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Springfield. Her husband's job took Joan and the ever-growing family to Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Colorado, back to Michigan, and then to Bloomington, Hampton, Springfield, and Galesburg, Illinois. During these years, she and Paul had eight children six boys and two girls. Returning to college in 1966, with seven children at home, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. After a move to Springfield, she became certified as a teacher and worked as a substitute teacher and teacher's aide. She later earned another associate degree, this time from Lincoln Land Junior College in Springfield, and became a registered nurse in 1976. She worked as a registered nurse specializing in alcohol and drug addiction in Galesburg, Illinois, and in Sun City West, Arizona. She retired in Sun City West. Over the years, she lived one of her greatest dreams, travelling extensively in this country and overseas, and visiting six continents with her husband. She moved to San Antonio, Texas in early 2008 and remained there until her death from congestive heart failure. Her sense of humor, her infectious smile, and her zest for life will be missed by all. A talented cook, voracious reader, lifelong learner, skilled seamstress, and most of all, an unflappable mother to her brood of children, she leaves behind friends and relatives across the country. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orlin E. and Regina M. Clayton; her husband Paul, who died in 2003; and a son, James, who died shortly after his birth. She is survived by five sons and two daughters: David (Linda) Elbow of Liberty, Missouri and Anchorage, Alaska; Valerie (Bruce) Johnston of San Antonio, Texas; Mark Elbow of Phoenix, Arizona; Kent (Kannikar) Elbow of Madison, Wisconsin; Mary Kate Elbow of Madison, Wisconsin; Brian Elbow of Fort Worth, Texas; and Steven (Heather) Elbow of Madison, Wisconsin. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and other relatives. The family would like to thank the staff of Franklin Park, Stone Oak Assisted Living; Independence Hill Assisted Living; her doctor, Dr. Ronald Williams; the staff of Encompass Hospice; and the staff of North Central Baptist Hospital for her excellent care in recent years. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the San Antonio Humane Society, 4804 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas 78229.