Delia Jane Elrod

Delia Jane Elrod has joined her savior and family in heaven.  She was 86.  Aunt Jane called Midland home the past dozen years, but proudly called Odessa her hometown.

She passed away in her home on Wednesday February 9^th, 2022.

Jane was born in San Angelo, Texas on June 26^th, 1935.  She was the second child of Thomas Jefferson Elrod and Mamie Jewel Trussell Elrod.  She grew up on the family ranch south of Odessa.  Helping in the process of raising Quarter Horses and cattle was the normal day.  Ranching and keeping family strong was a family tradition.  Jane was very close to her siblings.  She and her younger sister Doris Ann worked to keep up with their brother Tommy.  They would often team up against him, but always enjoyed time together just the three of them.  Her parents placed high expectations on the kids.  School, working on projects at home, and church were high priorities. They did have some fun.  She remarked many times of hunting varmints, especially skunks, with a .22 rifle.

Jane graduated from Odessa High School at age 16.  She went straight off to her beloved University of Texas in Austin and promptly earned degrees in both interior design and education.  She followed her heart to New York City and enrolled at Parson’s School of Design.  She was proud of her Parson’s education.  It was and still is considered the number one design school in the United States.

She began a career as an interior designer in Dallas, Texas following her education.  She enjoyed great success and designed high-end homes and businesses including for the Trammell Crow family, a recognized authority in Dallas real estate.

She made a huge decision in the early 1980’s to move home to Odessa and care for her aging parents.  With both compassionate love and joy, she spent the next decade caring for them.  She also made a big career change using her education degree and moving into the school system.  Quickly rising in the district, she was special education teacher, then vocational adjustment counselor, and eventually a special education supervisor.  She loved helping kids and finding ways for teachers to achieve high goals.  She placed great expectations on her teachers.

Jane is survived by her brother Thomas Trussell Elrod and spouse JoBeth of Odessa; nephew James Thomas Arnold and family of Dublin Ohio, nephew Thomas Whittenburg Elrod and bride Denise of Midland, and niece Tricia Elrod of Odessa; great-nieces Lauren Elrod and fiancé Chris Zuniga, Madison Elrod Snyder and husband Dakota Snyder.  Aunt Jane was anxiously anticipating the birth of her great-great niece Paisley.

Family visitation is scheduled for Monday February 14^th at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home from 6-8pm.  Funeral services will be at First United Methodist Midland on Tuesday February 15^th at 2pm.  Graveside at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa.

Family suggests memorials to Agape Counseling Services of West Texas (www.agapewesttexas.com).

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.